Review: The Latest Thing

The latest thing is also the newest thing. The newest things also tend to be fashionable. Perhaps that's why one can be "fashionably late." However, being late is not necessarily a desirable quality in the case where one is not the latest. For example, to be late (in the sense of missing one's period) tends to be regarded negatively. If one were positive about being pregnant, one would simply say "I'm pregnant!" rather than saying "I'm late." Similarly, stating "the late Mr(s). So and So" tends to imply that Mr(s). So and So is dead rather than merely late. Perhaps that's the penalty for failing to be fashionable. Ironically, the things that are described as "late" tend to be the opposite of the "latest" thing. That is to say, death and pregnancy are nothing new. However, lateness tends to defy degree. I.e. one cannot usually be a little bit dead or pregnant. One tends not to be the deadest or most pregnant among others who share the affliction(s).

Being new is the latest thing. Being dead or pregnant therefore cannot be the latest thing, but merely late. They are not very fashionable, but they also defy being unfashionable, by virtue of the fact that so many people are forced into these situations.