Vexillology - A New Word For Me

Both Mom and Dad were interested in words and languages. New words were often introduced in conversation around the dinner table. I’ve inherited that interest. Before the days of handheld devices, I had paperback dictionaries stashed around the house so I’d have one handy whenever I wanted to look up a word. I appreciate wireless networks and smart phones that allow instant access to dictionaries and encyclopedias.

“North American Vexillological Association” was mentioned in something I was reading. Vexillolical was a totally new word to me. Just in case you haven’t heard of it, here’s what it means.

Short definition – the study of flags

Origin – vexillum – Latin for flag & logia for study

"Vexillology is the "scientific study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags or, by extension, any interest in flags in general."  The word is a synthesis of the Latin word vexillum ("flag") and the Greek suffix -logia ("study"). It is formally defined by the International Federation of Vexillological Associations (known by its French acronym FIAV) constitution as "the creation and development of a body of knowledge about flags of all types, their forms and functions, and of scientific theories and principles based on that knowledge.

"The term was conceived in 1957 by the U.S. scholar and vexillologist Whitney Smith and first appeared in print in 1959. It was originally considered a sub-discipline of heraldry, .... A person who studies flags is a vexillologist. Vexillography is the art of designing flags; a person who designs flags is a vexillographer. A person who simply likes, admires, or enjoys flags is a vexillophile." Wikipedia      There's a North American Vexillological Association

Isn't this a fun piece of interesting information to add to your databank?

Flag of The Bahamas

"The symbolism of the flag is as follows: Black, a strong colour, represents the vigour and force of a united people, the triangle pointing towards the body of the flag represents the enterprise and determination of The Bahamian people to develop and possess the rich resources of sun and sea symbolized by gold and aquamarine respectively." bahamas.gov

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3/25/14 spelling error corrected