Parthian Shot - Parting Shot / Parthian Shot

Parting Shot / Parthian Shot

The phrase "parting shot" has its origins from the Parthian shot. The first record of the phrase "parting shot" was by John McCleod, surgeon on board His Majesty's ship Alceste contained in "A narrative of a Voyage to the Yellow Sea" (1818). The two phrases have rather similar phonetic soundings but are actually separately derived at different times. Although the Parthian archers of old have been famous for their shooting, the term "parthian shot" was recorded for the first time in 1832 by Captain Mundy, ADC to Lord Combermere on a hunting trip in India.

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Famous quotes containing the words parting and/or shot:

    Neither by night’s ancient fear,
    The parting of hat from hair,
    Pursed lips at the receiver,
    Shall I fall to death’s feather.
    By these I would not care to die,
    Half convention and half lie.
    Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)

    Next to a shot of some good, habit-forming narcotic, there is nothing like travelling alone as a “builder-upper.”
    Robert Benchley (1889–1945)