The Union Jack?

Question

Just occasionally something slips underneath my awareness and starts irritating me. . .
Simply because some little civil servant decides that the Union Jack has a particular meaning in his tiny, specialised world do you think we should all now say Union Flag instead?
After all, it's been the Union Jack for ages. Why should we change it?
Waddya think?

Well, so far, more people disagree with me than agree so maybe I'd just better forget it and return to my normal equanimity.

And in the end it turns out that more people prefer, like me, to call it the Union Jack, even though that term is technically incorrect.
Anyway, I've got it off my chest.

Thanks for all your replies, both for and against - all civil and with no personal attacks on me for my views.
Wonderful!!!!!

Answer 1

It is was originally intended to be flown on the jack staff of a ship so it is a "jack" rather than a flag and I don't see any reason why we should not continue to call it the Union Jack if we wish. The thing that annoys me is that a lot of people fly it upside down and when you mention is they do not seem to think that that is important. I don't think you would see an American flying the starts and stripes upside down unless there was a very special reason to do so

Answer 2

The union jack can only be called a union jack when flown fron the Jackstaff on a ship.It can only be flown on a warship of the Royal Navy.The Jackstaff can be positioned anywhere on a ship,usually nowadays at the back,although in Nelsons day it would be on the rear mast.
Commercial craft would fly an ensign.
Private craft such as pleasure cruisers/narrow boats can only fly the Red Ensign.
The union flag/flag of the union can be flown anywhere.Recently a law was passed allowing the flag to be flown at an angle not more than 90 degs.It was until then usually only flown at an upright or 20deg angle.
You cannot call the union flag a union jack unless it is flown from a ship.
All other pennents when flown from a ship take a secondary position.
Only the royal standard has a higher position than that of the national flag. all others have an equall position ie other royal standards like the Prince of Wales standard.
What you call the union flag has always been called the union flag,it`s just got into the language incorrectly.

Answer 3

In the 16th Century, the navy flew small flags known as jacks on the ships as identification. The Union Flag, on a ship, was therefore known as a Jack. Due to the public support of the Navy, the Union Flag was referred to as the union jack. As we are now 400 years after the term was first used, and it's been constaintly interchangeable since then, people who correct the misuse are really only pedantic in pointing it out. Both terms can be used, and considered 'correct'.

Answer 4

I have a great hatred for the great lies that are forced upon people in the name of PC but this is something upon which I do not have strong views.

As you state, the Flag has been known as the Union Jack for nearly 300 years and the only possible reason to change it is the diminution of our naval power that makes this very much a terrestrial flag rather than a naval jack.
While I find the change unnecessary, it is low on the list of aggravating Newspeak produced by the PC parasites.

Answer 5

The national flag of the United Kingdom is worn as a Jack at the bow by all HM ships in commission when alongside or when ‘dressed overall’. This is the only occasion when it is correctly called the Union Jack,

Answer 6

I think it's official name has always been The Union Flag. The term 'Union Jack' is just a nick-name - like 'Old Glory'.

Answer 7

The Union Flag is the correct name. The Union Jack is a flag used aboard ships and has been since the 18th Century.

So it's you who's wrong.

EDIT:

LOL at the irony of a scouser telling someone to get a job!

Answer 8

Despite sleeper.service's answer, which is totally correct, I agree with JON C, in that some of us grew up under the impression that our flag was called the Union Jack. We are used to calling it that, so why can't we continue?
'Union Jack?' - 'Union Flag?' - there are more important things to fret about.

Answer 9

I wish I could get a job as a civil servant. Sit there all day thinking of ways to get peoples backs up with ridiculus notions,getting everyone in heated debate over his/her stupid little brain ideas.
We as British people are so proud of what we have and cling on to our last bits of traditions and quirky ways at all cost.
I ignore many things that seem to want to put a stop to our culture, I say/carry on regardless. Who`s to tell me what I call my own coutry`s flag!!! It`s WELL known as the union jack, we all adopted the name, we love it! Carry on eating your hot cross buns,acting in nativity plays, sending "merry Christmas" cards, This is Great Britian. We are allowed, its our right. Don`t let others take it away, PLEASE!

Answer 10

It's people like that who make trouble where none exists.

I mean, how many people would even care about Union JACK if nobody made an issue of it?

Tell your civil servant friend to get a life.