Writings, especially statutes, dealing with the same topic should ordinarily be given the same interpretation. In similar contexts, the meaning of words should ordinarily be uniformly interpreted. This is another specialized application of being known by one's company. General words following a listing of specific words are construed to be limited to the same sort specifically listed. The Latin is inclusio unius est exclusio alterius.
Careful writing can eliminate the questions and the maxim, in Latin or English.
When the writer loses that battle, he loses everything. Sometimes they rationalize results, but they do not decide cases. And they give little guidance to the legal writer, except as a warning against sin. Sloppy writing begets excessive interpretation.