题目

英语里貌似有这样一个故事,有人国王要入侵另外一个小国,提前写了封信,其中有这样一句话:
If we capture the city,we will burn it.后来这个小国只回了一个字
"IF"
求这个故事的详细介绍.

提问时间：2021-04-01

答案

In ancient Sparta,originally known as Laconia,the citizens were long-suffering,stoical and military-minded,and were even more noted for their economy of speech than Vermonters.Legend has it that when Philip of Macedonia was storming the gates of Sparta (or Laconia),he sent a message to the besieged king saying “If we capture your city we will burn it to the ground”.A one word answer came back; “If”.It was now probably Philip’s turn to be speechless.It is from the name Laconia that we derive the word laconic.It also implies pithy,concise,and economical in the use of words almost to the point of curtness.
这是一个传说,故事的意思主要表达的是言简意赅.后来人们把简练而内涵丰富的表达,称作“拉哥尼亚思维”(laconic expression,Laconic phrase) .
更真实一些的历史资料是：
One famous example comes from the time of the invasion of Philip II of Macedon.With key Greek city-states in submission,he turned his attention to Sparta and sent a message:"If I win this war,you will be slaves forever." In another version,Philip proclaims:"You are advised to submit without further delay,for if I bring my army into your land,I will destroy your farms,slay your people,and raze your city." The Spartan ephors sent back a one word reply:"If." Subsequently,both Philip and Alexander would avoid Sparta entirely.