Philosophically, I don't know what "must" or "has" to be an operator.

I certainly don't want to tell you how to design your language.

I'm just trying to say, don't rule the pattern out because it's perceived as a type error; you may have other reasons that are good, but my citations provide a basis of how to make the typing work (if you were inclined).

If you have other reasons, even if it's just aesthetic, that's fine.