LAST
ADJECTIVES
► AFTERMOST nearest to the rear; furthest back; also, last in order → a1000
► DAMN AND BLAST last → 20C Brit. rhyming sl.
► FAG-END final, last → 1885 sl.
► HARRY BEHINT always last or behindhand → 1902 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► LAG last, hindmost → 1552 obs.
► LARRY last in point of order → 1892 Eng. dial.
► LATEMOST last → c950 obs.
► LATERMORE later, last → 1548 obs.
► LATTERMOST last → 1821
NOUNS
► ABE the last of anything; the only example → 1900s Aust. criminals’ sl.
► BACK-HALF the worst or latter half of anything → 1825 Sc.
► BUTT-END the last part or remnant of anything → 1600 sl.
► CASES an ultimate, a finality, the last of a series of things or actions → 1914 criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► DAMN AND BLAST the last position in a race → 1992 UK rhyming sl.
► DOG-END the very end of something; the last or worst part → 1941
► DOUP the end or last part of anything, as a candle → E18 Sc.
► FAG the last part or remnant of anything, after the best has been used; the extreme end → c1580
► FAG-END the last part or remnant of anything after the best has been used; the extreme end, as of a portion of time, a collection of persons, a written composition, etc. → 1613
► HEEL-TAP the last or end of anything → 1890 Eng. dial.
► LAGABAG ► LAGGIEBAG the last or hindmost → 1825 Sc.
► LAST BUTTON OFF GABE’S BRITCHES the last thing, piece, or bit, esp. of food → 1984 Amer. dial.
► LAST BUTTON OFF GABRIEL’S COAT the last thing, piece, or bit, esp. of food → 1965 Amer. dial.
► LAST BUTTON ON GABE’S COAT the last thing, piece, or bit, esp. of food → 1912 Amer. dial.
► LAST BUTTON ON JACOB’S COAT the last thing, piece, or bit, esp. of food → 1909 Amer. dial.
► LAST BUTTON ON JOB’S SHIRT the last thing, piece, or bit, esp. of food → 1965 Amer. dial.
► LAST CAST the last, the end → 1902 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► LAST PEA IN THE DISH, THE the last one, the last thing, esp. the last piece of food left on a place; the last straw, the limit, the end of one’s patience → 1909 Amer. dial.
► LAST PEA IN THE POT, THE the last one, the last thing, esp. the last piece of food left on a place; the last straw, the limit, the end of one’s patience → 1965 Amer. dial.
► LAST ROSE OF SUMMER, THE the last thing, piece, or bit, esp. of food → 1968 Amer. dial.
► MELL the prize given to the last one in a race; the last in any contest → 1747 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► OMEGA the last of a series; the last word; the end or final development → 1651
► SHAG END the last part or remnant of something, esp. that remaining after the best past has been used; the most worthless part, the dregs → 1972 US colloq.
► SHANK the latter end or last part of something; the remainder → E19
► STYME a glimpse or glance; the last bit or quantity of anything; a moment of time → 1776 chiefly Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
► TAIL-END CHARLIE the person or vehicle that comes last in a queue, one who comes at the end → 1940s sl.
NOUNS – PERSON
► ANCHORMAN the last man in any group or sequence → 1952 Amer. sl.
► ASS-END CHARLIE the last individual in a line → 1942 sl.
► BUTT-END CHARLIE the trailing aircraft in a formation; the last individual in a line → 1942 US military sl.
► COW’S TAIL ► COW TAIL the last one to arrive; a tagalong → 1908 Amer. dial.
► LAG the last or hindmost person, as in a race, game, etc. → 1514
► LAGABAG a loiterer; the hindmost or last → 19C Eng. dial.
► LAGGY a loiterer, a lingerer; the last to arrive → 1902 & Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► LAG-MAN the last man; the one who brings up the rear → 1599 obs.
► TAIL-END CHARLIE the person or vehicle that comes last in a queue, one who comes at the end → 1940s sl.
► TAIL-ENDER one who is at the tail-end; one who comes last; a term of contempt for one who is habitually late in everything he undertakes → 1885
PHRASES
► EGG AND BIRD in youth and maturity, from beginning to end, first and last → 1711 obs.
► FURTHER BACK THAN WALLA WALLA way behind schedule; last by a long way → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► GET THE WOODEN SPOON ► WIN THE WOODEN SPOON to come last in a contest → 1984 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
VERBS
► BE LEFT IN THE BASKET to remain unchosen, or to the last, like the worst apples, etc. → 1847
► BRING UP THE REAR to come last
► DURE to last, to continue in existence → c1275 obs.
► WIN THE MELL to be last; to come off worst in any encounter → 1895 Sc.
Lexicophilia 