Re: Where have all the car flags gone?

Tim McDaniel wrote:
Zev Sero <zev@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: 

But you're right, a canton is not the position itself, but anything
that is placed in that position


That's wrong.  Perhaps I wasn't clear enough.

"A canton" is a rectangle.  You can tell when there's a canton because
it's a different color than the rest of the background.  On the US
flag, the canton is the blue rectangle distinguishable from the
red-and-white field and the white stars on the canton object.

"In canton" is the position.

"Anything that is placed in that position" is not "a canton" but
"an <X> in canton".


But the union that appears in the upper inside corner of various flags
is not (AFAIK) blazoned as "the union in canton", but as "a canton of
the union".




Oh, and the term "Union Jack" refers to a flag with the Union on it 


That's such a common mistake that it could be argued that one is too
prescriptionist when condemning it.  A jack is "a small national flag
flown by a ship".  If it's not flown on a ship, it can't be a jack --
it's the Union Flag.


Or not.  Exactly how the Union Flag came to be called the Union Jack
is lost in the mists of time, and we'll probably never know the truth.
The idea that it comes from the jack of a ship is but one theory.
However it came about, though, "Union Jack" is a synonym for "Union
Flag", no matter where that flag is flown.  But it does *not* refer
to the Union when it appears in some form other than on a flag of
its own, e.g. in the design of another flag, or not on a flag at all.


--
Zev Sero             Security and liberty are like beer and TV.  They go
zev@xxxxxxxxx        well together, but are completely different concepts.
                                                        - James Lileks
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Where have all the car flags gone?
    ... The canton of the USA flag has fifty ... > The Union is the combined crosses of Sts George, Andrew and Patrick. ...
    (rec.arts.sf.fandom)
  • Re: Where have all the car flags gone?
    ... But you're right, a canton is not the position itself, but anything ... (i.e. the UK flag), not to the design itself, so when the design appears on another flag it's merely "the Union", not "the Union Jack". ...
    (rec.arts.sf.fandom)
  • The Cross of Saint George.
    ... the flag of "England" until a design was needed for the union flag. ... A " Jack " is a flag placed at a ships' stern while at port. ... The " Kingdom of England " existed before the Union Jack ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: Freema Agyeman confirmed as new companion to Doctor Who
    ... it's only the Union _Jack_ if it's flown at sea... ... but Canada referred to the Royal Union flag ...
    (rec.arts.drwho)
  • Re: Where have all the car flags gone?
    ... He called the stars "the union". ... The canton of the USA flag has fifty ... The Union is the combined crosses of Sts George, ...
    (rec.arts.sf.fandom)
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