English
long shot
From long + shot.
Proto-Indo-European *dlongʰos ‘long’
Proto-Germanic *langaz ‘long’
Proto-West Germanic *lang ‘long’
Old English lang ‘long, tall, lasting’
Middle English long
English long
The story
The term arose from the accuracy of early naval guns, which were effective only at close range and unlikely to hit the mark at any great distance.
Today it means
noun A shot fired at a distant target.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / long shot