A laconic phrase is a very concise or terse statement, named after Laconia (a.k.a. Lacedaemon [Greek Λακεδαίμων]), a polis of ancient Greece (and region of modern Greece) surrounding the city of Sparta proper. In common usage, Sparta referred both to Lacedaemon and Sparta. Similarly, a laconism is a figure of speech in which someone uses very few words to express an idea, in keeping with the Spartan reputation for austerity. This may be used for efficiency (like in military jargon), for philosophical reasons (especially among thinkers who believe in minimalism, such as Stoics), or for better disarming a long, pompous speech (the most famous example being at the Battle of Thermopylae).
The Spartans were especially famous for their dry wit, which we now know as "laconic humour." This can be contrasted with the "Attic salt" or "Attic wit", the refined, poignant, delicate humour of Sparta's chief rival Athens.
There you go: We're Spartans. And we're nothing if not (1) concise and (2) witty. So the modifier "laconic" fits us like a glove. I'd explain further, but I don't want to ruin the conciseness of the explanation.
Kudos to Stuka for brainstorming the word "laconic" for us.
Now, on to the links . . . and the laconicism:
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Hail to the Orange, live from Big Ten Media Days. - Hail to the Orange
Our SB Nation colleague gets to hang out with real, live journalists next week; get your questions in now. -
LSJ Blogs: Hey, Joe: Top 10 footballers
A bit of a crapshoot past Greg Jones at #1. Testament to our depth? -
Las Vegas sets Michigan’s 2009 Over/Under
7.5 wins seems low for us, given the schedule. -
Is Your Coach a System Guy or a Personnel Guy? - The Rivalry, Esq.
Says Mark Dantonio is a system guy; shouldn't forget that the offense was more wide open in 2007, when Devin Thomas was in the fold, though. -
Titans fifth-round pick Ringer signs | tennessean.com | The Tennessean
Javon looks to earn some PT behind Chris Johnson and Lendale White -
Unverified Voracity In Bed | mgoblog
Speaking of Javon Ringer, Brian defends (or at least explains) his mediocre advanced stats from last season. -
No visit from Sparty next season (Hoops & Scoops: an OSU basketball blog)
No home game against Indiana next season; Big Ten schedule maker goes back to screwing us. -
Oddsmakers throw wrench into 2010 favorites - Beyond the Arc - msnbc.com
MSU given 15-1 odds to win the national championship next April. -
Three Point Musings | UM Hoops.com
Dylan on the impact of moving the 3-point line back. -
The Jordan Crawford/LeBron James video has leaked, and it’s disappointing | Inside the Hall | An Indiana Hoosiers basketball blog
Agreed. -
Rush The Court " Blog Archive " PSA: CBS College Sports Replaying 2009 NCAA Tournament
Chance to rewatch MSU's NCAA Tournament run if you didn't DVR the games the first time around. Complete list of MSU appearances on CSTV:
Date | Time (ET) | Opponent |
Sunday, July 26 | 6:00 a.m. | Robert Morris |
Tuesday, July 28 | 2:00 p.m. | USC |
Wednesday, July 29 | 8:00 a.m. | USC |
Wednesday, July 29 | 6:00 p.m. | Kansas |
Thursday, July 30 | 12:00 a.m. | Kansas |
Thursday, July 30 | 2:00 p.m. | Louisville |
Thursday, July 30 | 6:00 p.m. | UConn |
Thursday, July 30 | 10:00 p.m. | North Carolina |
Friday, July 31 | 12:00 a.m. | UConn |
Friday, July 31 | 4:00 a.m. | North Carolina |
Friday, July 31 | 8:00 a.m. | Louisville |
Sunday, August 2 | 12:00 p.m. | UConn |
Sunday, August 2 | 4:00 p.m. | North Carolina |