Mirror Image - Need a refresher course in this...

[Thurbane]

Actually, Penultimate often does mean "second best."

For example, the "penultimate battle" in a campaign is the one just before the final, climatic battle.

Any time that second form the last also means second the to best - as last is often best.

"Penultimate costumes" thrift store certainly could mean second to the last - as in one step above junk.

While an English professor may disagree with you, in coloquial terminology penultimate is generally accepted as synonymous with second best...

Reminds me of my housemate, who I call Mister Literal. If I say "I'll meet you at the end of the street" he'll point out that in fact it is a road, not a street, even though he knows exactly where I intend to meet him. He isn't trying to be a wise guy, his brain is just wired up this way...

 

[Dracorat]

LOL!

Nice area, Tucson, btw. Any chance you're an ophthalmologist or in a related field at the UA ophthalmology dept.? No? Hmm...Ever been to the Firecracker (restaurant)?

Unfortunately Ive never been to the Firecracker (though I might have to now) and as for my field, I am a senior Web programmer and database admin for a fortune 100 company out here.

 

[Infiniti2000]

65's a little old to be doing web programming, isn't it?

 

[Dracorat]

lol!

 

[Nail]

Well, Hyp, for your satisfaction, we 'Yanks' can't get anything right. =)

"Speak" for yourself!!

I have never, and will never, run a strictly RAW game, I like to fiddle with rules that don't feel "right" to me.

....then you are beginning to see the value of the Rules forum.

....in coloquial terminology penultimate is generally accepted as synonymous with second best...

Not really.

Try this: "Some people, when wanting to use a flowery word meaning second best, misuse the word 'penultimate'. It's an attempt to sound educated...but doesn't quite hit the mark."

BTW, you might want to look up the word "colloquial" or "colloquialism".

 

[Thurbane]

"Speak" for yourself!!
....then you are beginning to see the value of the Rules forum.

Not really.

Try this: "Some people, when wanting to use a flowery word meaning second best, misuse the word 'penultimate'. It's an attempt to sound educated...but doesn't quite hit the mark."

BTW, you might want to look up the word "colloquial" or "colloquialism".

col‧lo‧qui‧al  /kəˈloʊkwiəl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kuh-loh-kwee-uhl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal.
2. involving or using conversation.

Well, point 1 is the one I was getting at...I've heard plenty of people use the term penultimate in exactly the same usage as the Dracorat did, correct or not. *shrugs*

IMHO, if someone uses a word, and you know exactly what they mean despite not being the exact literal meaning of the word in question, to correct them is basically unneccessary. In an informal setting (i.e. outisde of the classroom or technical discussion on language), it borders on just being rude.

Meh, no big deal, take it leave it.

 

[Infiniti2000]

IMHO, if someone uses a word, and you know exactly what they mean despite not being the exact literal meaning of the word in question, to correct them is basically unneccessary. In an informal setting (i.e. outisde of the classroom or technical discussion on language), it borders on just being rude.

Doing it in public in front of others is rude, I agree. Doing it in private later is actually quite acceptable.

For example, wouldn't you want to be told your fly is down?

 

[Thurbane]

Doing it in public in front of others is rude, I agree. Doing it in private later is actually quite acceptable.

For example, wouldn't you want to be told your fly is down?

Indeed - but I wouldn't someone to jump up on a table, point at my crotch and yell it out! As you say, a whisper in the ear would be more appropriate.

 

[Dracorat]

Thanks for the sentiments. I have thick enough skin to take it here and there.

For the record, reading the other thread ( http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?p=3122258 ) at least some people have also heard of the usage I used. That's consolation enough for me. =)

 

[Thurbane]

Yep, just found that thread myself, it will save this one from going even more offtopic.