I would say the combinator \x\y\z.x z (y (\t.z)) is more poetic than Y, since it forms a basis for combinatory logic all by itself. Not only can you make Y from

I would say the combinator \x\y\z.x z (y (\t.z)) is more poetic than Y, since it forms a basis for combinatory logic all by itself. Not only can you make Y from it, but every other combinator as well. And it's the smallest term with that property.