“Laconia” is the source of our word “laconic”; supposedly they were besieged, and when the attacking force sent a message detailing all the things they would do if they took the city, the Laconian response was “If”...
The lacedaemonians were pretty extreme about using too many words, especially in public speaking.
Once a Spartan general needing food for his army, stood in front of the council and held out an empty sack and said “food”.
To the Spartans, this was too wordy. He should have just held out the empty sack.