A final insult hurled as one is leaving, or the last word in an argument. Most authorities agree that this term is a distortion of Parthian shot, alluding to the ancient Parthians (first century b.c.), renowned archers and horsemen, who would turn in flight to discharge arrows at the pursuing enemy. There is no firm evidence for this etymology, but it seems reasonable. John Galsworthy used the term in A Man of Property (1906): “He could not resist a parting shot, ‘H’mmm! All flourishing at home? Any little Soameses yet?’”