word-choice
From my understanding, when given a sequence of items, second-to-last designates the item preceding the penultimate item on the sequence. Example:
If we consider one item of the sequence as the current one, what adjective would we use to designate the item preceding the previous item in the sequence? Is "second-to-previous" the correct adjective to use in this situation? Example:
You can think of it this way: something that is cleared can still be dirty.
For example, if the floor is cluttered with things such as toys and papers and whatnot, you can clear the floor by removing everything from the room. However, all those things probably left dirt or stains about. Next, you would have to clean the floor to remove those.
What about the concise, memorable, and conveniently alliterative expression WHILE YOU WAIT, which is sometimes seen on business signs?
If someone can remember that three-word phrase (and the pictures I've added might help someone do just that), then it might be easier for them to remember how while would be the word that means "during some time interval."
Once you get one half of a confusing pair straight in your mind, the other half pretty much falls into place by default. But if you wanted something more, you could simply imagine the business owner saying:
I can fix this while you wait; you won't pay until I'm done.
Best Answer
Second to last is the penultimate item. First to last is the first counting from the "last" direction. Second to last is the second object from that direction. (Then again, this is rarely used, and it could be that a given group of English speakers might use second to last as either penultimate or pen-penultimate.)
Also, the way I see that picture, they look like they're passing me in the direction of the arrow, so I'd actually call the farthest to the left the last one, and the next second-to-last.
Next is the opposite of last when you're in the middle of the list, and you use them as directions. Talking about the one who just passed, you call it the last one (as in last to pass), and the one after that as second to last, or next to last. To keep moving down the list, you could say "the one before that." (I've never heard third to last, but after a moment to figure it out, it would make sense.)
In the other direction is the next object, which is about to pass you. you could keep moving in that direction either by simply saying "the one after that" or maybe by saying second to come. (or third or so on)
Basically, in the middle of the list, you treat it as two different lists, the ones that have already come, and the ones who are soon to come.
Please let me know if I need to clarify something.