"short," n. antedating

[Jonathan Lighter]

OED (1922) 4.k., a shot (usu. an artillery round) that falls short of its target.
 
1918 Herbert W. McBride _The Emma Gees_ (Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill) 89: There was never a shell, apparently, directed at our position, and except for an occasional "short," none burst near us.
 
McBride served overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary Force 1915-17. 
 
JL




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