the former or the latter?

[phouka]

Which is which, and why can I never remember?

If I say, "Would you like chocolate cake or vanilla ice cream?" and my brother answers "Are you mad? Cake, of course!", would I give him the former or the latter?

Thanks!

------------------
"I think he said 'Blessed are the cheesemakers.'"

[funneefarmer]

Former

[ThufferinThuccotash]

Chocolate cake is the former, vanilla ice cream is the latter. The reason you can't remeber is you eat too much of the latter, and not enough of the former.

------------------
TT

"Believe those who seek the truth.
Doubt those who find it." --Andre Gide

[Nickrz]

Try remembering latter = later.

[TheDude]

And former corresponds to formerly (as in previously)

TheDude

[NanoByte]

And the former has to get the latter in order to get his cow off the roof.

[GuanoLad]

heeheeheeheehee! Only in Cornwall.

"OoAarr, I be that thar Former what needs to get his latter, aye."

------------------
"Waheeey! 'Duck!' Get it?"
"Errr.... No..."
"Duck! Sounds almost exactly like fu-"

[funneefarmer]

Dam Bessie, get down from there.

[Ukulele Ike]

One thing that bugs me is when I say, "Will you have the rat sandwiches, the slug canapes, or the chocolate cake?" and they say "The latter."

"Latter" only works when there are two choices. In the above case, they should say "the last."

Then I'll give 'em the rat anyway.

------------------
Uke

[phouka]

I love you guys!

:D