Make Your Point > Archived Issues > NE PLUS ULTRA

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"NE PLUS ULTRA" Meaning: (It's Latin for "not more beyond.") The ne plus ultra of something is the limit that you absolutely can't go beyond. In another sense, the ne plus ultra of something is the highest or best it can possibly be. Pronunciation: Several ways are correct. I prefer "NEE plus ULL truh." Part of speech: Countable noun. (Countable nouns, like “bottle,” “piece,” and “decision,” are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about “a bottle,” “three pieces,” and “many decisions.” Likewise, talk about a ne plus ultra or the ne plus ultra, but we don't usually make this term plural.) Other forms: none How to use it: With its obvious relationship to "plus" and "ultimate," there's a great chance that your listeners will understand this term even if they haven't heard it before. Usually, you talk about something or someone being the ne plus ultra of something else. This is usually a very good thing: "This piece is the ne plus ultra of fine art." "He is the ne plus ultra of gracious hosts," etc. But it can also be a very bad thing: "She's the ne plus ultra of heartless ambition." "This show is the ne plus ultra of poor taste." Leave out the "of" if your meaning is clear: "The city is not the ne plus ultra it once was." "The industry hasn't yet found its ne plus ultra." You can also talk about something that reaches or arrives at a ne plus ultra or becomes the ne plus ultra, and so on. The field of web design is in a strange place right now, with oddly giant photo banners dominating every on-trend page. It seems that particular art hasn't yet found its ne plus ultra. Chihuahuas seem to be a divisive creature when it comes to us humans. You think they're either the epitome of cuteness or the ne plus ultra of annoyance. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "ne plus ultra" means when you can explain it without saying "peak of perfection" or "furthest possible point." Think of a hobby or activity you enjoy, and fill in the blanks: "(Accomplishing something in particular) is the ne plus ultra of ____." Example: "Playing a seven-letter word on a triple word score is the ne plus ultra of Scrabble plays." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, we're playing New Word Order! It's a card game that I recently created; it involves figuring out the order in which certain words and phrases entered our language. I'll give you several words and/or phrases, and you'll use your knowledge of history, slang, technology, popular culture, fashion, psychology, etc. to put them into chronological order. I'll post the right answer to each question on the following day. If you like this game, you can download and print it to play with your family and friends. (It's free.) Yesterday's task was to place "bar-hopping" on this timeline:  Acetaminophen, 1957 Mani-pedi, 1972 Meh, 1992 Answer: Bar-hopping, 1950 Acetaminophen, 1957 Mani-pedi, 1972 Meh, 1992 Today, your new timeline looks like this: Frisbee, 1957 Nanotech, 1987 The po-po, 1994 Try to decide where this term belongs on that timeline: "Kwanzaa." Special preview of next month's game: In December, we'll be sampling questions from Orijinz, an awesome series of games about words, phrases, and quotes. Click here or on the logo below if you want to go ahead and check them out! A Point Well Made: Ralph Waldo Emerson: “What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have yet to be discovered.” 1. One opposite of NE PLUS ULTRA is A. SOUR GRAPES B. FINE DISTINCTION C. ROCK BOTTOM 2. Don't be so quick to designate a ne plus ultra. You never know _____. A. what unexpected disasters that pronouncement may cause B. what the true limits of mastery might be C. who might be offended by it Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. B Exploring the archives: Today's word will remind you of zenith and nadir, which are opposites. Which one is a pretty close synonym of today's term, "ne plus ultra"?