laconic (adj) - speaking or writing using the fewest words possible; extremely brief or terse [luh-kon-ik]
BREAKDOWN: The admirably expressive word laconic derives from the Greek Lakōnikos and can be directly translated as meaning of Laconia. Laconia happens to be where the city-state of Sparta was located, whose ancient residents remain historically famous not just for their stubborn belligerence but their blunt and concise communication style.
“Mathematicians are a bit like the laconic Vermonter who, when asked if he’s lived in the state his whole life, replies, ‘Not yet.’” —John Allen Paulos
[Our Wednesday Wildcards are fascinating and important words that are not necessarily derived from classic roots.]