Comments on: N.Y. Times mines its data to identify words that readers find abstruse http://www.word-detective.com/2009/06/ny-times-mines-its-data-to-identify-words-that-readers-find-abstruse/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:32:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Elizabeth Lightwood http://www.word-detective.com/2009/06/ny-times-mines-its-data-to-identify-words-that-readers-find-abstruse/comment-page-1/#comment-2174 Elizabeth Lightwood Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:01:35 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2048#comment-2174 Laconic, of course, comes from Laconia, an ancient Greek name for Sparta. Apparently the Spartans were famous for short, sarcastic ripostes to any statements they found particularly absurd or impertinent. Laconic, of course, comes from Laconia, an ancient Greek name for Sparta. Apparently the Spartans were famous for short, sarcastic ripostes to any statements they found particularly absurd or impertinent.

]]> By: tudza http://www.word-detective.com/2009/06/ny-times-mines-its-data-to-identify-words-that-readers-find-abstruse/comment-page-1/#comment-2164 tudza Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:04:38 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2048#comment-2164 Perhaps louche is being used because absinthe has recently become legal to sell in the states again? As for laconic, it may mean concise, but in my mind concise in the manner, "I understand you're responsible to the general turmoil and trouble in these parts?" the laconic answer being "Yup." Perhaps louche is being used because absinthe has recently become legal to sell in the states again?

As for laconic, it may mean concise, but in my mind concise in the manner, “I understand you’re responsible to the general turmoil and trouble in these parts?” the laconic answer being “Yup.”

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