Red flag (idiom)

The term red flag could mean either a literal flag used for signaling or, as a metaphor, a sign of some particular problem requiring attention.[2]

For other uses, see Red flag (disambiguation).

A Naval Encounter between Dutch and Spanish Warships by Cornelis Verbeeck. c. 1618/1620. A solid red flag, signifying the ship’s intent to engage in combat with a Spanish galleon (left ship), flies at the Dutch warship's stern (right ship).[1]

Background
Improvised red flag warning for a damaged curb.

The earliest citation for "red flag" in the Oxford English Dictionary is from 1602 and shows that at that time the flag was used by military forces to indicate that they were preparing for battle.[nb 1][nb 2]

The earliest citation of "red flag" in the sense of a warning is dated 1777 and refers to a flag warning of flood.[nb 3]

The term and the expression "to raise the red flag" come from various usages of real flags throughout history. The semaphore red flag (or red light) on railways means an immediate stop, while a red flag is frequently flown by armed forces to warn the public of live fire exercises in progress, and is sometimes flown by ships carrying munitions (in this context it is actually the flag for the letter B in the International maritime signal flag alphabet, a red swallow-tailed flag). In many countries a red flag is flown to signify that an outdoor shooting range is in use. The United States Air Force refers to its largest annual exercise as red flag operation. Red flags are used for various signals in team sailing races (see Racing Rules of Sailing). A red flag warning is a signal of high wildfire danger and a red flag on the beach warns of dangerous water conditions (double red flags indicate beach closure). Red flags of various designs indicate dangerous wind and wave conditions for mariners. In auto racing, a red flag indicates a stop to the race due to dangerous conditions.

A signal of danger or a problem can be referred to as a red flag, a usage that originated in the 18th century. An infamous example of use of a red flag in warfare is Mexican General Santa Anna's use of the symbol to let his Texian opposition in the Alamo know that he intended to spare none of the defenders (on which he followed through). The term "red flag" is used, e.g., during screening of communications, and refers to specific words or phrases encountered that might indicate relevance to the case. For example, email spam filters make use of such "red flags".

See also

Notes
  1. Dekker, Thomas (1602). Satiromastix. Wks. 1873. I. p. 233. What, dost summon a parlie, my little Drumsticke? tis too late: thou seest my red flag is hung out
  2. Lond. Gaz. 1666. That the Red Flag was out, both Fleets in sight of each other, expecting every hour fit weather to Engage.
  3. Thicknesse, Philip (1777). Year's Journey. I. p. 23. There is a red flag hoisted gradually higher and higher, as the water flows into the harbour [at Calais]

References
  1. Verbeeck, Cornelius. "A Naval Encounter" (PDF). Nga.gov. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  2. "Red Flag". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
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