What does "laconic" mean?

[Douglas G. Wilson]

> >         Are you sure that laconic did not refer to the first-person
> > narrator of the text, rather than the actor who recorded the audiobook?
>
>Yes, it was very clear in context.
>
>I then followed up by asking the poster what she meant by
>_laconic_, and she replied, "Jester, interesting question. I
>guess I meant reserved, lacking in emotion, flat. The kind of
>manner I think of in association with laconic speech. Lacking
>in affect.  Now I'm trying to think of a better word to sum
>that all up, but am blanking."
>
> >         In any case, it isn't too surprising that well-educated
> > 20-somethings would think that "laconic" means "without expressed
> > emotion."  After all, "laconic" derives from Greek lakonikos, referring
> > to Sparta, and the Spartans certainly have that reputation.  Or perhaps
> > I'm giving the 20-somethings too much credit.
>
>Oh, yes.

I agree ... much too much.

"Well-educated" should imply an acquaintance with the dictionary, for starters.

Even though I'm only 29 myself ... plus a few months.

-- Doug Wilson