Understand that 'hypotenuse' specifically refers to triangles with one 90-degree angle.

Geometric Focus

Remember that 'hypotenuse' is not used for any side of a triangle, but exclusively for the longest one in a right triangle.

Not Just Any Side

Hypotenuse is a term mostly found in mathematical or educational contexts, less in everyday conversation.

Mathematical Language

 the Pythagorean theorem he didn't call it the hypotenuse he called it the shortcut distance and fineman's eyes just opened up he went off like a light bulb and he said you know he had had basically exactly the same relationship with his father in fact he had been

My friend Richard...

 Even if the world collapsed the Pythagorean theorem would still be true. Wherever any two triangle sides and a good hypotenuse get together the Pythagorean theorem goes all out. It works like crazy.