title: Why does python disallow usage of hyphens within function and variable names?
body: <p>I have always wondered why can't we use hyphens in between function names and variable names in python</p>
  
  <p>Having tried functional programming languages like Lisp and Clojure, where hyphens are allowed. Why python doesn't do that.</p>
  
  <pre><code># This won't work -- SyntaxError
  def is-even(num):
      return num % 2
  
  # This will work
  def is_even(num):
      return num % 2
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I am sure Sir Guido must have done this because of some reasons. I googled but couldn't manage to find the answer. Can anyone please throw some light on this?</p>