Quote Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie View Post
Isn't this old chestnut quite spurious?

http://www.express.co.uk/comment/exp...the-Union-Jack

"The chief vexillologist of the Flag Institute, who is just about the highest authority you can find in the flag world, has declared that, yes, we can after all call our national flag the Union Jack. In other words we can ignore know-all letter-writers who can always be relied upon to go into action every time the term "Union Jack" is broadcast or used in print.

Don't you realise, they say, that the term "Jack" should only ever be used at sea and that on dry land it should always be the Union flag? Well it seems not. Graham Bartram, who undertook research for the Flag Institute, has concluded that the terms Union Jack and Union flag have always been acceptable alternatives whether you are steaming out of Portsmouth on a frigate or hoisting it on the Houses of Parliament."
Agree entirely, common usage would dictate it is the union jack. I only replied to the previous OP because the jack staff of Men of War is from where the turn originated. I served in the forces for a number of years, and I personally had various reasons to be in communication with the MOD Flag department, and everyone referred to the Union 'Jack" without any pedant correcting him or her.
common usage is what keeps the english language alive and growing and changing, like the changes over time in the meaning of words like 'Gay' and 'Wicked' for example.