Monday, 8 September 2008

The Union Jack is the British flag

Doctor Who got it wrong. The term "Union Jack" is the proper name for the British flag. The term "Union Flag" is also the correct name, though the former is more popular. It is not, however, known as the Union Jack "only when it's flown at sea", as Rose Tyler suggested in the episode 'The Idiot's Lantern'.

A "jack" is a flag flown on a ship from the jackstaff. The British flag was called the Union Jack some one hundred and fifty years before the jackstaff came into being.

For some unknown reason, the term "Union Flag" has been increasing in popularity in recent years - in preference to "Union Jack". Either or both names refer to the same flag, no matter where it's flown.

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