I wasn't suggesting that any scrutinizing of the code for clear intent should be considered a "pet peeve". I was saying I see both sides in this particular cas

I wasn't suggesting that any scrutinizing of the code for clear intent should be considered a "pet peeve". I was saying I see both sides in this particular case, and that in my opinion devlopers (myself included) often make a way bigger deal out of things than they really are -- when the larger part of their offense toward a particular choice is often more about personal taste than it is anything else (thus the reference to pet peeves). Again, I like the use of the variable, because in my opinion it makes the code a bit clearer, but I also don't think it is the end of the world if someone chooses the option without it.