Ntro’s Official Opinion

Weird Al rules.

pe·nul·ti·mate
adj.

1. Next to last.
2. Linguistics. Of or relating to the penult of a word: penultimate stress.

Now that we’re all on the same page regarding the definition of the word “penultimate,” we can discuss how it is not used. I was browsing a job site recently (just for fun; no, I’m not looking for a job), and stumbled upon a post containing the following description:

[Company name changed to protect the ignorant] currently needs additional technical talent to keep products at the penultimate of performance. [emphasis added]

Let that sink in for a moment.

. . .

Done? Have you digested the intended meaning of that phrase yet? If so, you’ve got me beat. I’ve been trying to figure out what he’s trying to say since Monday, and I still have no clue.

A great movie quote comes to mind:

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
— Inigo Montoya

Maybe I’m making a big deal out of nothing. Perhaps I should be reading it literally:

In order to maintain our second-to-last place technology, we are seeking technologists with the ability to create products slightly better than the worst in our industry.

I realize that by picking on one’s word choice, I’m opening myself up to all kinds of grammatical scrutiny. All I can say is BRING IT ON.

I guess I’ll have to be careful. . . at least until this post scrolls off the front page.