In a championship game, there is a champion (the winner) and a finalist (the loser).

“Second place is the first loser” is a sports adage. “finalist… Meaning the first loser?” was posted on Twitter by The Snarky Mushroom☠ on January 28, 2014. “the losing finalist is the first loser” was posted on Twitter by John Marinio on August 22, 2014. “Finalist is the first loser, ask anyone who lost a final” was posted on Twitter by albz on October 11, 2020. “Finalist is the first loser” was posted on Twitter by Steve MacEachern on March 26, 2021.

“@el_oka: ‘Calling someone a finalist is just another way of calling someone a loser’” was posted on Twitter by I’m That Guy on March 21, 2010. “Finalist is another word for loser” was posted on Twitter by Nick J on March 3, 2018. “@austin2k25 says ‘Finalist is just a fancy word for loser’” was posted on Twitter by Aaron Clark on November 14, 2020. “Finalist is a way nicer word than loser” was posted on Reddit—Showerthoughts on September 27, 2021.


Twitter
I’m That Guy
@IamJsonBrown
RT @el_oka: “Calling someone a finalist is just another way of calling someone a loser.” ««« all I do is win
2:21 PM · Mar 21, 2010·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
𝑼𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒆𝑷𝒐𝒑
@HennyAndAdlibs
A semi finalist is the same as being the loser. Go hard or go home.
5:06 AM · Jul 15, 2011·UberSocial for BlackBerry

Twitter
The Snarky Mushroom☠
@SnarkyMushroom
Replying to @Todd__Kincannon
@Todd__Kincannon @kurteichenwald finalist… Meaning the first loser?
7:08 PM · Jan 28, 2014·Twitter for iPhone

kboards
Is finalist just another word for loser?
Gordon Hopkins
March 5, 2014

Twitter
John Marinio
@johnjohnMMM
Replying to @PJ_Matlocks_
@chuck_araneta the losing finalist is the first loser.  Finals not enough, need championship victory!
9:52 AM · Aug 22, 2014·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
John Wyszniewski
@wyszniewski
“Being a finalist is still a loser.” Let’s just put Branden Jacobs-Jenkins on all the lists. http://crainsnewyork.com/40under40/2017/Jacobs-Jenkins
1:48 PM · Mar 31, 2017·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Nick J
@Akrietta
Replying to @camijustice and @WZIP
Finalist is another word for loser
8:31 PM · Mar 3, 2018·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter

@YULANDAJONES
@espn @aroundthehorn @tonyreali A synonym for finalist is LOSER, guys!
#GOODWednesdayWiseNight, Folks!
I DON’T lose!
YK #Winner
11:51 PM · Dec 19, 2018·TweetCaster for Android

Twitter
𝚁𝚎𝚢-𝚁𝚎𝚢 ✌🏾
@TheNoLookPass
Replying to @T1theinfamous
Finalist is much more accomplishing than “loser.” Don’t ever say that about yourself.
3:14 PM · May 20, 2019·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
albz
@albz2
Replying to @nolefangal @jonkennaugh and 2 others
Hah, participation trophy ? Finalist is the first loser, ask anyone who lost a final.
3:11 PM · Oct 11, 2020·Twitter for Android

Twitter
Aaron Clark
@aclark16
Austin’s soccer team lost in the state championship today. Which means they were the Finalists.
Just now, as I was telling him how proud I am,
@austin2k25 says “Finalist is just a fancy word for loser.”
God I love this kid.
11:13 PM · Nov 14, 2020 from Brentwood, TN·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Steve MacEachern
@SteveJMacE
Finalist is the first loser. #Celtics
Quote Tweet
NBA Central
@TheNBACentral
· Mar 26
“The Celtics were a finalist for Magic All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, including multiple first-round picks as part of their package.”
- @AdamHimmelsbach
2:16 PM · Mar 26, 2021·Twitter Web App

Twitter
I Have Alot To Say
@OnkeBlack
Replying to @escapademat and @Squawka
A losing finalist is the biggest loser, you get a medal for it as well, a medal you can never celebrate
6:51 PM · Jul 11, 2021·Twitter for Android

Reddit—Showerthoughts
Posted by u/energyvampire1 September 27, 2021
Finalist is a way nicer word than loser.