I know that it means "almost the ultimate" (so, second to last). I don't know when/where I learned it.
The word on this board that nobody seems to know is "run > ran > have run." Seriously, how many people say/write "I have ran a lot this week" and think it is in anyway normal or acceptable?
It is as horrible as saying "I have drank a Coke" or "I have swam a lot" or "I have ate cake" or "I have saw a movie" - All wrong, all insane.
You could call the final athlete to compete in a field event the "ultimate competitor". Or refer to the final heat as the ultimate heat, or the last event as the ultimate event, etc.
It's become such a cliche word I try not to use it. I was annoyed at myself for using it last week on another track forum.
Golf telecasts are where it has been prominent for 50+ years. I grew up with Henry Longhurst and Peter Alliss talking about the players in the penultimate pairing.
I have known that word forever. I couldn't even tell you when I learned it it was so long ago. It's one of those words that people misuse all the time, and it bugs me every time. Means next to last.
47, male, running since 14 years old, American living in Canada, native English speaker. I think I learned this term in high school and still hear it regularly in track, as well as other settings
I've noticed in this years track meets on tv, the announcers are obsessed with the word penultimate. I'm a 40 year old Male with 2 masters degrees and have been following professional running pretty much my entire life. I have never heard that word prior to this summer.
Anyone else unaware of the word or have to Google it in a dictionary like I did?
I have known that word forever. I couldn't even tell you when I learned it it was so long ago. It's one of those words that people misuse all the time, and it bugs me every time. Means next to last.
Thanks, Flagpole. We have discussed what it means for 150 posts now - but you came on and explained to us what it means.
I have known that word forever. I couldn't even tell you when I learned it it was so long ago. It's one of those words that people misuse all the time, and it bugs me every time. Means next to last.
Thanks, Flagpole. We have discussed what it means for 150 posts now - but you came on and explained to us what it means.
Flagpole uses penultimate, antepenultimate and preantepenultimate everyday in every day conversation.