It's a word that I know, but I am not aware of ever having seen it in print until now. However, I noted that it was used twice in a recent novel, set in Scotland. The word stood out to me as I was reading, but I just kept reading and didn't stop to note the page at the time. Because it was a Kindle book, I was able to do a search later and find the two usages.
From Reborn, a Rhoda MacLeod novel by Lin Anderson:
(1) Bill cursed the Gravedigger under his breath for the umpteenth time.
(ii) While he waited for the bus, he went over the events of that night for the umpteenth time.
Umpteen/umpteenth is a word that I seldom use or hear. In point of fact, I associate it with my mother, for I am not sure if I have heard anyone else use it or ever seen it written. I am sure that I have used it on rare occasions, but, frankly, it is so unusual that I wasn't even sure that there was a 'p' in the word.
28 comments:
Love the English language...There is a word, or many words for anything and everything. I've often said that if I had to choose only one book to read...It would be my big, fat dictionary. Yes, I do use it, and yes, I have used the word umpteenth.
Sure have heard it but rarely use it.
Yes it's common and it's part of my vocabulary.
I haven’t used the word in writing but I do use it, the version with th more than without. You don’t hear it much in regular conversation though.
Yes, I've heard the word used in conversation & yes I've used in conversation but not often. Laughingly, I'll say it seems to be a Mother word ... "I've told you for the umpteenth time, I'm not telling you again".
Oh, yes, I use that word quite often.
I know of the word and I've heard it used by others. Not sure I've seen it in print. I don't think I've ever used it, but if I did it was very seldom and long ago, although I think it's the perfect word for emphasis.
I have used it occasionally but read it more often than say it.
So glad to see so many others who use it. I think I haven't, but sure have heard it, and perhaps read it. The mothering phrase does hit home...telling you for the umpteenth time!
I took have never seen this word in print.
It was used often by my parents generation and I have used it, but not for a long time. Maybe I will pick it up again!
My parents used the word and I also do occasionally. :)
Verbally I say the word fairly often. But I'm not sure I have ever written the word as it looks kind of strange and I'm not sure I would have added a 'p' into it either.
Oh sure. I've heard and used it many times. I think.
I certainly know it, and use it occasionally.
We know it, and use it a lot.
I think I have used it but not on a regular basis.
Not an unfamiliar colloquialism. Interesting Aloha
I came across the term in Sci Fi novels too.
I forgot about this word. My grandparents used it. Their parents were from Scotland (immigrated to Canada in the late 19th century). I will be using this word whenever possible now.
I love words.
I use the word often! Especially when I am in a mood to speak in hyperbole. I love “umpteenth” as a word. It feels so perfect for many uses.
PipeTobacco
Every mother knows that word! "This is the umpteenth time I've asked you to do blablabla!"
I hear the word often. The micro manager uses it all the time.
Yes, I occasionally use it, but seem to remember it being used quite often by my parents.
I am amused because where I often heard the word was from my mother. There must have been some usage that caught the attention of women in the age range of your and my mother. I use it myself, occasionally, being a word packrat of the worst order. And, yeah, you use it to children who are not doing what they are told to do.
Ha! I used that word earlier today in an online reading group-- said I was re-reading Hillerman for the umpteenth time.
I know the word and I've used it but not for a long time, not commonly. But sometimes it just fits!
Oh yes! Umpteenth is a great word. xoxo
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