Basically -n prevents the automatic arithmetic behaviour caused by setting a variable to a value of the format <number> <arithmetic-operator> <number>.

eg. Compare the following:
Code:
//set -l %moo 1 + 1 | echo -a Normal: %moo
//set -ln %moo 1 + 1 | echo -a Using -n switch: %moo


It really should prevent the "" behaviour as well IMO so you should post this in either Bug Reports or Feature Suggestions.

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