The last or the last, how right? This question can only seem complicated at first glance. If you understand it in terms of logic and common sense, and even call for help the grammar of the Russian language, then the answer will come by itself, since it is obvious.
All the fault of the line
In our country, during the Soviet and perestroika times, the line in the store for any product was a frequent occurrence. Even goods such as ice cream were in short supply. Sometimes the line went beyond the store itself and occupied half the street. Queue as a phenomenon has not ceased to exist at the present time. Clinics, post offices, government agencies are places where you can watch, and sometimes even participate in queues.
As a result, a peculiar regular etiquette was formed with its own rules: how to take the queue, which words can be spoken and which cannot, and so on. There is even its own unique slang - the slang of people participating in queues. As an example of a specific expression that is usually used in queues, one can cite this: “Who is the last?”. And most often no one even doubts: how to say it right, extreme or last? The overwhelming majority of people will say that, of course, only the expression “Who is the extreme?” Is permissible. Oddly enough, but these people are deeply mistaken. After all, the line has two edges, front and back. Accordingly, there are always two extreme ones. And the last one, like the first person in the line, on the contrary, is always only one.
Superstition
So, why are people so stubbornly unwilling to recognize the truly correct option? The blame for everything is a steady superstitious fear of the word "last", which is consciously or subconsciously associated with the last day in life, with death. This superstition is especially pronounced in people whose activities involve constant risk: lifeguards, firefighters, pilots, and so on.
Accordingly, when confronted with a choice: whether it’s right, the last or the last in the line, people most often choose the first option, because, simply, they are afraid to be impolite. After all, to someone who is asked, it may seem that they want something not quite pleasant.
Excessive politeness
The source of errors in the question of how to correctly ask who is last or last is also the presence of the word “last” of meanings that have a negative connotation. But most often the verb is used in these meanings, either in vernacular or in local dialects. So the “last” can mean “near”, “stupid”, “bad”, “worthless”. Expressions are known: “Like the last fool”, “The last student in the class” and so on.
And now, faced with the question of whether the last or the last one, how to ask correctly, some people, just in case, choose a more decent option, in their opinion.
Similar misconceptions
In vernacular, the verb "eat" is widespread, which is not literary. And, therefore, a literate person should use only the verb "eat" in his speech to indicate the process of eating. But either because of its rougher sound, or because of some still not completely clear reasons, this verb is often preferred to the verb “eat” from the vernacular vocabulary. You can also mention, as another example, the use of the word “sit down” instead of “sit down”. In this case, there is an incorrect use of the verb. After all, “sit down” means literally: to sit not completely, on the edge, or for a short time. The verb "sit down" is avoided due to its use in a criminal environment with the meaning "to get to a place of imprisonment." Of course, not everyone who does this is related to the underworld. But, as can be seen, due to the well-known historical events of the first half of the last century and others, the fear of imprisonment is imprinted in each of our compatriots at the subconscious level.
When do you need to talk extreme
But life does not consist only of bursts. So, to the question of how right, last or extreme, in some cases, the answer can be given: extreme. It remains to find out in which particular cases?
Explanatory Dictionary Ozhegova gives three meanings of the word "extreme":
1. Located on the edge. The most remote.
For example, the extreme regions of the Arctic region, the extreme points of a straight line.
2. The ultimate.
For example, the deadline for repayment of debt.
3. Extraordinary.
For example, extreme measures.
Accordingly, if a student needs to ask by what date his academic debt should be repaid, then he can construct his question in this way: "What is the deadline for completion?" If it is worth emphasizing the importance of any problem addressed in the report, then we can say that this issue is extremely important. In football, the forward of the left or right flank is called the extreme forward.
Conclusion
As can be seen from all of the above, the question of how to speak correctly, the last or the last, unequivocal answer does not exist. It all depends on the situation of using these words, as well as on the environment in which these words can be used. If you need to take a queue for a doctor’s appointment, then in this situation, the question of whether the last or the last one is correct, the answer will be unequivocal - the last.
No matter how unusual this may sound to some people. If you are in doubt as to the extreme day or the last day of the year, then choose the last option. An exception can be made if you communicate with a submariner. Traditions are traditions, and it is sometimes inappropriate to break them. But, in this case, you will communicate on a professional slang. Extreme you can call the remote corners of our country.