10 Jan 2010

What is the opposite of a Pyrrhic victory?



A Pyrrhic victory is defined as a victory that comes at such devastating cost that it is a victory in name only.  In truth, it is a lost battle, masquerading as a win.  Our language does not seem to have an expression for the opposite situation — a won battle, masquerading as a loss.  I am not the only one to have noted this linguistic asymmetry (see here and here, for example).

A “reverse Pyrrhic” scenario came to mind in reviewing the U.S. District Court’s denial of Anytime Fitness’ late 2009 motion for a temporary restraining order.  Anytime Fitness lost the motion, but given the Court’s finding in its favor on likelihood of success on the merits, at a minimum this should be a loss that Anytime can live with.  Opinion after the break.
Anytime Fitness v Delameter Denial of TRO height=”500″ width=”100%” > value=”http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=24957921&access_key=key-2kirwaooi5ybdtq5gf7f&page=1&version=1&viewMode=list”>            

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