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{{a|myth|}}The etymological history of the word “laconic”: named after Laconia, the Greek region including Sparta, whose inhabitants had a way with verbal brevity we could all learn from. So, when warrior king Philip | {{a|myth|}}The etymological history of the word “laconic”: named after Laconia, the Greek region including Sparta, whose inhabitants had a way with verbal brevity we could all learn from. | ||
So, when Macedonian warrior king Philip II was expanding his territory across the Peleponnese, he sent an emissary to Sparta with this message: | |||
{{quote| | |||
“Should I come as friend or foe?” }} | |||
The Spartans answered: | |||
{{quote|“Neither.”}} | |||
Not being thrilled by this response, Philip massed his armies on the border and sent the Spartans another message: | |||
{{quote| | {{quote| | ||
“Now, look: if I win this war, you will be slaves forever. You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my armies into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people and level your city.”}} | |||
The Spartan reply was truly laconic: | The Spartan reply was truly laconic: | ||
{{quote| | {{quote| | ||
“If.”}} | “If.”}} | ||
Philip thought the better of it. | |||
{{sa}} | |||
*[[Plain English]] |