Do "No A or B" and "No A and B" mean the same thing? [duplicate]
Hopefully my question is not the same as this one as I am asking about the English in writing a prohibition. Do "No A or B" and "No A and B" mean the same thing, where A and B are present participle of some verb?
For example: Is there any difference between
No eating and drinking
and
No eating or drinking
?
Which one of these two, if any, should one say if he/she wishes to express the idea "either A or B is allowed", but not both A and B (such as drinking alcohol and driving)?
Solution 1:
Two answers. Are you writing the sign, or are you seeing that sign?
If you are writing the sign then write
No eating or drinking
or
No eating
No drinking
If you see the sign "No eating and drinking" then assume it means
No eating
No drinking
You should not assume that you can get out of trouble by saying "I was only eating, not drinking, and ELU.SE says that sign means I can do one or the other but not both".
Solution 2:
No, they do not mean generally the same thing.
"No A or B" would generally mean "Do not do A, and also do not do B." For instance, a sign saying "No eating or drinking" would mean that both the consumption of food and the drinking of beverages are banned.
"No A and B" would mean "Do not do both A and B simultaneously." For instance, a sign might say "No running and jumping", which would mean "do not jump while running."