[Misc] Mental gymnastics of former…latter

[HeaviestTed]

Every time I see former/latter I have to mentally think, former comes first so it is the first thing they were pointing out which was … and latter means the second so that was …

I can’t do it.

 

[tedebear]

Former - first
Latter - last

Surely easy?

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Every time I see former/latter I have to mentally think, former comes first so it is the first thing they were pointing out which was … and latter means the second so that was …

I can’t do it.

I have the same with the greater than/less than symbols. Even my kids have tried to explain it to me – in the very basic of terms – and I STILL don't remember it

I've got to the point now where I've given up trying to figure it out.

 

[boik]

I have the same with the greater than/less than symbols. Even my kids have tried to explain it to me – in the very basic of terms – and I STILL don't remember it

I've got to the point now where I've given up trying to figure it out.

The number on the wide end of the symbol is larger than the number on the narrow end of the symbol. Simples.

 

[East Staffs Gull]

The male and female symbols always get me. I’m completely missing any logic to them.

 

[The Clamp]

Sorry? Someone is confused by Former and Latter?

 

[Greg Bobkin]

The number on the wide end of the symbol is larger than the number on the narrow end of the symbol. Simples.

I appreciate the explanation, but I promise you it will make ZERO difference. It just doesn't go in! It's a proper mental block for me.

 

[tedebear]

I have the same with the greater than/less than symbols. Even my kids have tried to explain it to me – in the very basic of terms – and I STILL don't remember it

I've got to the point now where I've given up trying to figure it out.

Use the alligator method he always has his mouth open to the large or greater than number:

 

[The Optimist]

The number on the wide end of the symbol is larger than the number on the narrow end of the symbol. Simples.

Or the number on the larger side of the symbol is the larger number and the number on the smaller side of the symbol is the smaller number.

I appreciate that’s basically what you said, but in the interests of simplifying it it stops the brain from having to convert wide to large and narrow to small.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Use the alligator method he always has his mouth open to the large or greater than number:

View attachment 196887

Trust me. It doesn't work with me!

 

[Jack Straw]

I can't get to grips with this whisky, fox-trot, delta, hotel malarkey. When someone starts spelling words to me like this, I have to ask them just to say the first letter as it takes me ages to work out what these words begin with. Is it just me?

 

[tedebear]

Trust me. It doesn't work with me!

I guess it won't if you won't let it...

 

[East Staffs Gull]

I can't get to grips with this whisky, fox-trot, delta, hotel malarkey. When someone starts spelling words to my like this, I have to ask them just to say the first letter as it takes me ages to work out what these words begin with. Is it just me?

Yankee Echo Sierra.

 

[Albion my Albion]

Every time I see former/latter I have to mentally think, former comes first so it is the first thing they were pointing out which was … and latter means the second so that was …

I can’t do it.

Honestly when I first heard those phrases I thought it was "the farmer and the ladder."

 

[Eeyore]

My word, it isn't even an international break.

 

[tstanbur]

Every time I see former/latter I have to mentally think, former comes first so it is the first thing they were pointing out which was … and latter means the second so that was …

I can’t do it.

if first/last works for you then you could just use the first letters as a massive clue...

(F)irst = (F)ormer
(L)ast = (L)atter

 

[BBassic]

Yankee Echo Sierra.

Victor Echo Romeo Yankee Delta Romeo Oscar Lima Lima.

This is fun.

Also, I did not know until roughly thirty seconds ago that 'L' was 'Lima'. I've always thought it was 'Lemur'.

 

[Arthritic Toe]

The male and female symbols always get me. I’m completely missing any logic to them.

The pointy knob-like appendage on one of them is a major clue

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I guess it won't if you won't let it...

That's the point. I've really tried. Multiple times in my 46 years.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Every time I see former/latter I have to mentally think, former comes first so it is the first thing they were pointing out which was … and latter means the second so that was …

I can’t do it.

Hopefully you don't have the same trouble with off, of and have.
Nobody wants to see latter-day tomfoolery