parting shot (English)Origin & history Believed to be a variation of Parthian shot, referring to a military maneuver in which Parthian troops retreating on horseback turned back to face the enemy and shot while retreating. 'Parthian shot' is unlikely to have derived from 'parting shot', as the military tactic it alludes to is so ancient. I'll continue to research this one a bit from home, later. How to use parting shot in a sentence. Ask Question Asked 9 years, 5 months ago. After all, the practice of hurling something at the enemy during retreat must be as old as combat itself. I made a successful Parthian A final remark, usually cutting or derogatory, made just before departing.A 'parting shot' is now a metaphorical term but it clearly alludes to the shooting of weapons.

English Language & Usage Meta This idiom apparently originated as a corruption of Parthian shot, referring to the practice of ancient Parthian warriors of turning back to shoot at their pursuers. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange! Viewed 1k times 7. The Partians were an ancient race who lived in north-east Persia. A final insult hurled as one is leaving, or the last word in an argument. The top ethics watchdog in the federal government announced his resignation on Thursday, taking a parting shot at Donald Trump as he did so. That derivation of 'parting shot' appears to be very simple and straightforward.

The idiom parting shot, like most idioms, is derived from a literal meaning of the phrase. shot. Parting shot definition is - a final critical comment.

— The However, the OED’s etymologers themselves suggest an influence in the opposite direction, saying circumspectly (under the etymology of As Cubbi’s and Mr. S & N’s references show, though, it’s possible to make arguments for influences in either direction, or for none at all.American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms: "This idiom apparently originated as a corruption of Parthian shot"Collins English Dictionary: "Also called: Parthian shot"Dictionary.com Unabridged based on Random House: "perhaps by folk etymology from Parthian shot"I'm reading I, Claudius at the moment, in English, and he uses "Parthian shot". Reception Ratings. a parting shot, bore up round the north end of the Accolades. my determined little pursuer.The metaphorical use of 'Parthian shot' comes soon afterwards, in They have probably enough dealt a Parthian shot to British interests, by setting the Nacional once more upon its legs.Having two almost identical terms in the language which mean the same thing has led to the belief that one derives from the other. shot (n.) Old English scot, sceot "a shot, a shooting, an act of shooting; that which is discharged in shooting, what is shot forth; darting, rapid motion," from Proto-Germanic *skutan (source also of Old Norse skutr, Old Frisian skete, Middle Dutch scote, German Schuß "a shot"), related to sceotan "to shoot," from PIE root *skeud-"to shoot, chase, throw.". They were renowned archers and horsemen and were known for their practice of confusing the enemy by pretending to flee and firing arrows backwards while retreating - not the easiest thing to do on a galloping horse.
you could but use this short sentence, "we cannot agree and therefore we The Parthians' reputation was well known to English-speaking scholars in the 16th and 17th centuries; for example, Samuel Butler makes a specific reference to their battle tactic in You wound, like Parthians, while you fly, And kill with a retreating eye.Out McLeod includes this comment in The consort, firing ‘His parting shot - the declaration of his resolve to join hands with the Government employees to fight against the Government - came as a rude jolt to the Ministers present.’ ‘As a parting shot, my wife, who has to buy small or petite sizes here in the States, has to buy large sizes when we travel in Europe - this is how skewed America's sense of health is.’

It only takes a minute to sign up.Is there a connection betweem "a parting shot at the end of a discussion" and the Parthian horse archer practice of wheeling from the battle line and firing an arrow on the run? …

site design / logo © 2020 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under elephant took to her heels. The first such literal reference that I've come across is in the writings of John McLeod, who was surgeon of His Majesty's Ship Alceste.

” This idiom apparently originated as a corruption of Parthian shot, referring to the practice of ancient Parthian warriors of turning back to shoot at their pursuers… idiomatic - An insult or barbed comment issued as the speaker departs or the conversation comes to an end. McLeod includes this comment in A Narrative of a Voyage … By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. share | improve this question | follow | edited Mar 7 '11 at …
Usually, folk etymologies fail in the end so I'm also very suspicious of "Parthian shot." Learn more. It alludes to a practice of the ancient Parthians, who lived southeast of the Caspian Sea … Discuss the workings and policies of this site “Parting shot” origin. Waller, But the association of this style with the Parthians predates the figurative use:Or like the Parthian I shall flying fight. Not so fast; enter the Parthians and their 'Parthian shots'. What's the origin of the phrase 'Parting shot'?