A few -ultimate words that were new to me:

[sl8]

I'd only known the first two.


ultimate
penultimate - second to last
antepenultimate - third to last
preantepenultimate - fourth to last
propreantepenultimate - fifth to last


Now I just need to work them into conversation. You know, just a little extra insurance to make absolutely sure no one knows what the hell I'm talking about.

https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/penultimate#English

[3catwoman3]

1. Most people won't know what penultimate...

...means, let alone the other 3, which were new to me, also.

The trouble with an impressive vocabulary is the limited opportunities to use it. One of my favorite "fancy" words, for both meaning and spelling, is sesquipedalian. I pretty much never get the chance to use it, and feel like I'm showing off if I do.

- spell check wanted to change sesquipedalian to back-pedaling.

[sl8]

3. Sesquipedalian. Very nice!

Last edited Thu Mar 21, 2024, 02:54 PM - Edit history (1)

That's new to me. I'm already thinking of scenarios where I might use it, assuming my unreliable memory can retrieve it in a timely fashion (usually I think of clever responses about 5 minutes too late).

[3catwoman3]

5. I think of my best comebacks to arguments when...

...I am alone in my car, and even then, usually cannot envision myself "winning." Even if you can "one-up" someone, there is always a low-life who can "one-down" you.

In an unrelated thread, I said that I would like to come back in my next life as Representative Jasmine Crockett from TX. That young lady can think in her feet.

When I first heard sesquipedalian before knowing the definition, it sounded biological to me, like some type of multi-legged critter.

[LuckyCharms]

2. I've used "penultimate" for most of my life.

I learned that word hearing people describe the second to the last song of the second set of a Grateful Dead concert (most likely a slow ballad).

[sl8]

4. I'd always assumed Dead concerts would be educational.

I just never realized that the education would encompass linguistics.

[JoseBalow]

6. If some troll used the word "propreantepenultimate" on me

I would turn 360 degrees and walk away

[sl8]

7. With four people following you, I presume? nt

[Paladin]

8. I'll avoid those "___to last" words.

I wouldn't want anybody thinking I was trying to sound like William F. Buckley.

[sl8]

10. LOL. nt

[rogerballard]

9. I am Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

you bet your gluteus maximus

[sl8]

11. Oh, quit braggin.

Alas, my gluteus is maximus no more.

[soldierant]

12. Penultimate and antepenultimate

I learned in 10th grade in first lear Latin. They were useful in studying Latin because of the ways the accented syllable occurs in that language. But there was no need for the other two, so they are new to me And, at 78, even if I were to remember them ... it wouldnot be for nearly as long as I have rememebered the others.

[CTyankee]

13. I hated having to take Latin for two years before I could take French in high school but now I'm glad I did take it.

I can figure out words in English better. I'm fairly good on some word origins on Jeopardy and I can do the NYT crosswords puzzle better because I know words' Latin basis.

[soldierant]

14. My bachelors' is in

Latin with a minor in classical Greek - so i have a double whammy there. Yes, it does have uses. But really, I enjoyed both languages.

[CTyankee]

18. May I ask what is your profession? Do you teach now?

I ended up with a Master's in Liberal Studies. I loved the curriculum. I didn't have to do any math. But the most challenging course I had was in Economics (which did involved some math). I wanted to learn something about political economy more than any other facet of the study. It was very, very hard though.

[soldierant]

21. -i have bounced around so much I cant say I have a single profession.

I went into the Marine Corps for ten years where I worked n payroll (and paying the base's bill.) Then I started working on a music education degree but didn't complete it. Then I worked a few years as a theatrical costumer for the same college I took the music courses at - I had costumed some musicals for the music department as a volunteer and they recommended me to the theater department. While in that job I met and married my husband. He was unable to find a decent job in that small town, so we moved to a larger one. I was doing temp work and was sent y the agency to an art gallery for an envelope-stuffing project, and by pure chance ended up getting hired by them - that was for about 9 years, when I found a job in insurance (property and casualty - I'm as ignorant on life and health insurance as anyone), in which fild I worked for about 11 years and then retired. I guess I could say my profession was "Factotum."

[sl8]

17. Latin is one of those things I'd love to know, but not enough to actually do the work.

Latin with a classical Greek minor? Well done, you.

[Niagara]

15. Hey sl8!

I've been using the term(s)


cavitation: the sounds of audible grinding, creaking cracking, crunching or popping noises of a bodily joint

crepitus: describes any grinding, creaking, cracking, grating, crunching, or popping that occurs when moving a joint

also

cavitation crepitus


I've definitely been working them into conversation!

[sl8]

16. Hey Niagara!

I knew about cavitation in a slighty different context (ship propellers), but not crepitus or cavitation crepitus. I think try that one out on my doctor at my next physical.

Thanks!

[Niagara]

19. You're welcome.

It's good to see you in the lounge!

[sl8]

20. Thank you. nt