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
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@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
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
@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
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@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.