March 27, 2006
A Word a Day (WordSmith, 3/27/06)
Parthian shot (PAR-thee-uhn shot) nounPosted by Orrin Judd at March 27, 2006 6:29 AMA hostile remark made in departing.
[After the natives of Parthia, an ancient country in southwest Asia.]
Parthians were expert archers. Their specialty was firing arrows while in (or pretending to be in) retreat which disrupted the enemy forces.
The more descriptive term "parting shot" is a synonym.
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Posted by: erp at March 27, 2006 9:07 AM