What does jack mean in union jack?

Answer 1

It's another word for a flag. Usually a jack is flown on the jackstaff of a ship, but in reference to the Union flag it's commonly used to describe the flag. If we were to be absolutely correct, the Union Jack would be referred to as the Union Flag.

(Not really)

"The original Union Flag was introduced in 1606 as a maritime flag,

and in 1634 a Royal Proclamation laid down that the Union Flag

was reserved for His Majesty's Ships of War and forbid

merchant ships to wear it..........

It is quite clear that the name Union Jack was the name given to

the distinguishing flag of His Majesty's Ships, and that it is proper

to call this flag a Union Jack when flying in a ship, but this flag

which was formerly purely maritime is now used as the National flag

of Britain and some consider that it is incorrect to call it a Union Jack

when it is not flying in a ship and that when flying ashore

it should be called the Union Flag.

Strictly this view may be correct, and there would be no doubt as

to its correctness if the flagused were the 1900 War Office pattern,

but this is not so, and the flag that is seen in Britain flying from the

Houses of Parliament and other public buildings is the pattern

adopted by the Royal Navy.

Furthermore, it has been called the Union Jack in modern times

in Parliament and so by common useage it is considered that it

IS CORRECT to call this flag, which is to all intents the National flag

of the United Kingdom, the UNION JACK . It would also appear that

the 1900 War Office version should not be called the Union Jack; in

fact it is generally known as the 'Great Union Flag'."

"Flags of the World"

Edited by E.M.C Barraclough C.B.E., R.N. and

W.G. Crampton M.ED.

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