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Penultimate
Penultimate is a word so misused that I cringe whenever I find it. Seldom is it clear from the contexts whether or not the users mean what they say. Most often the word is confused with ultimate, exactly what penultimate does not mean. The "pen" part comes from the Latin paene meaning almost. It's not a word to guess about. You might think a more appropriate version would read "preultimate" in contemporary vernacular. Would it be premature of me to wish all of you a Happy New Year on this penultimate day of 2004?
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posted by Georganna Hancock M.S. | 12:00 PM
2 Comments:
I'm sorry to say that I recently had to define the word for my dad, a retired Syracuse University dean. I'd like to think he knew the word well, forty years ago.
Nevertheless, I use the word. For years I serialized a "Penultimate" episode guide to Quantum Leap, on the theory that I would someday go back (when more data became available) and write the ultimate one. I never did so, of course. Does that count as a lie?
Karen
http://journals.aol.com/mavarin/MusingsfromMavarin
http://mavarin.blogspot.com/
Thanks for commenting, Karen. I think a penultimate guide to as yet unanswered ultimate questions is definitely allowable. Your journals and writings are certainly colorful, and you're a prolific fiction writer! Other readers might take a look at what can be done with traditional writing and blogs. Come back often, and good luck in your publishing endeavors, Karen!
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