| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Lacon’ic. | | |
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Very concise and pithy. A Spartan was called a Lacon from Laco’nia, the land in which he dwelt. The Spartans were noted for their brusque and sententious speech. When Philip of Macedon wrote to the Spartan magistrates, “If I enter Laco’nia, I will level Lacedæmon to the ground,” the ephors wrote word back the single word, “If.” (See above LACEDÆMONIAN LETTER.) | 1 |
 In 1490 O’Neil wrote to O’Donnel: “Send me the tribute, or else——.” To which O’Donnel replied: “I owe none, or else——.” | 2 |
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