<p>I've been messing around with functional programming languages for a few years, and I keep encountering this phrase.</p>

<p>I understand what lambda means, the idea of an anonymous function is both simple and powerful, but I fail to understand what "the ultimate" means in this context.</p>

<p>I feel like I'm missing a reference here, can anyone help?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-12T15:19:05.763Z
I don't know.  But it probably relates to a series of "Lambda the Ultimate _____ " papers that are collected [here](http://library.readscheme.org/page1.html).  Whether those authors invented the phrase, or were using something older, is a question someone else will have to answer.
Aaron Sterling
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-12T15:22:15.673Z
Aaron is right.
Dave Clarke
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-12T15:24:01.940Z
If @Aaron is correct, it simply raises another question.
Eric Wilson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-13T16:48:13.480Z
N.B. -- This question was [also posted on programmers.SE](http://programmers.stackexchange.com/q/107687/26921), where it acquired two answers. [I answered there](http://programmers.stackexchange.com/questions/107687/what-is-the-origin-and-meaning-of-the-phrase-lambda-the-ultimate/107704#107704) instead of here because my remarks about the meaning were merely informed speculation.
C. A. McCann
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-13T17:15:56.647Z
Sorry for the cross-posting, I wasn't sure which site was the better fit.
Eric Wilson
<soft-question><terminology><functional-programming><lambda-calculus>
What is the origin and meaning of the phrase "Lambda the ultimate?"
Eric Wilson
# What is the origin and meaning of the phrase "Lambda the ultimate?"

(Asked by: username_0 on 2011-09-12)

I've been messing around with functional programming languages for a few years, and I keep encountering this phrase.

I understand what lambda means, the idea of an anonymous function is both simple and powerful, but I fail to understand what "the ultimate" means in this context.

I feel like I'm missing a reference here, can anyone help?

**Tags:** soft-question, terminology, functional-programming, lambda-calculus

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I don't know.  But it probably relates to a series of "Lambda the Ultimate _____ " papers that are collected [here](http://library.readscheme.org/page1.html).  Whether those authors invented the phrase, or were using something older, is a question someone else will have to answer.  
> **username_2**: Aaron is right.  
> **username_0**: If @Aaron is correct, it simply raises another question.  
> **username_3**: N.B. -- This question was [also posted on programmers.SE](http://programmers.stackexchange.com/q/107687/26921), where it acquired two answers. [I answered there](http://programmers.stackexchange.com/questions/107687/what-is-the-origin-and-meaning-of-the-phrase-lambda-the-ultimate/107704#107704) instead of here because my remarks about the meaning were merely informed speculation.  
> **username_0**: Sorry for the cross-posting, I wasn't sure which site was the better fit.  

---

## 0 answers

