Although any post I make is likely as not to contain some typo or grammar error, one funny mistake (to me) is the incorrect use of the word "penultimate". The word means next to last. For example, the letter “y” is the penultimate letter of the alphabet.

People sometimes incorrectly use the word, however, to refer to something of high quality or desirability. For example someone might say “The i730 is the penultimate device.”

In the words of Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride: “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

In thinking of the Princess Bride quote, the words of the immortal El Guapo in the Three Amigos also came to mind:

Jefe:We have many beautiful pinatas for your birthday celebration, each one filled with little surprises!
El Guapo: How many pinatas?
Jefe: Many pinatas, many!
El Guapo: Jefe, would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?
Jefe: A what?
El Guapo: A *plethora*.
Jefe: Oh yes, El Guapo. You have a plethora.
El Guapo: Jefe, what is a plethora?
Jefe: Why, El Guapo?
El Guapo: Well, you just told me that I had a plethora, and I would just like to know if you know what it means to have a plethora. I would not like to think that someone would tell someone else he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has *no idea* what it means to have a plethora.
Jefe: El Guapo, I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect and education, but could it be that once again, you are angry at something else, and are looking to take it out on me?

Perhaps in pointing out the errors of others, we, like El Guapo, are picking on improper targets and are really angry about something else??