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Penultimate

Does penultimate mean the very last? No! It means second to last, taking from the Latin word paene, meaning almost. It’s the same Latin root that gives us the word for that “almost island,” a peninsula. People misusing penultimate are overreaching with language. Instead, it’s best to write below your abilities and read above them. That’s the ultimate way to go. This is part of a complete episode.

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