To "Coin a Phrase"..
The verb to 'coin' originally meant to literally mint a coin, and dates to the 14th century. Through time, the word became quite common in a variety of guises (coin, coyne, coigne) and in the 16th century was used in the context of creating a 'new' phrase, perhaps a person's concise view regarding a 'gossip' overheard.
Printers used a 'quoin' (small wedges, latterly expanding wedges) to hold type together on the old style 'platen' printing press. In this way, they were creating new phrases.
The verb to 'coin' originally meant to literally mint a coin, and dates to the 14th century. Through time, the word became quite common in a variety of guises (coin, coyne, coigne) and in the 16th century was used in the context of creating a 'new' phrase, perhaps a person's concise view regarding a 'gossip' overheard.
Printers used a 'quoin' (small wedges, latterly expanding wedges) to hold type together on the old style 'platen' printing press. In this way, they were creating new phrases.
The "parting shot"..
Parthian shot (PAR-thee-uhn shot) - noun
A hostile remark made in departing [after the natives of Parthia, an ancient country in southwest Asia]. Parthians were expert archers. Their specialty was firing arrows while in, or pretending to be in, retreat which disrupted the enemy forces.
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