Because comet orbits are nearly Parabolas, it used to be assumed that they were exactly parabolic, and this carried with it the conclusion that comets have their origin outside the solar system.
"A Text-Book of Astronomy"
George C. Comstock
At night fiery Parabolas blazed their course against the sky, up from the outer hills, sweeping down on Las Campanas or La Cruz.
"The Missourian"
Eugene P. (Eugene Percy) Lyle
Still, I taught them lots of things about Parabolas that they did not know and did not know were to be known-things that, considering the shells they fired went in Parabolas, ought certainly to be known by artillery officers; so I think, in this way, I have done a little bit for my country.
"The Red Planet"
William J. Locke