Question of the Week - Passed with Flying Colours…

Posted May 20th, 2009 by Jo :)

I was just writing to Kelly when I came across a phrase that got me thinking. “Passed with flying colours”. So, anyone know the origins of this phrase?

I know that a flag used to be called your “colours” so “flying colours” could refer to a flag. The image I have stuck in my head is that from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 3′ when the pirate flags are hoisted up and fly in the wind. But what does the “passed with” pertain to? That you successfully got passed the enemy ship with the wind whipping your flags?? Or does it mean something completely different? And why is it now used in the current context of successfully passing a test/exam/subject etc?

I know it’s a completely random question, but that’s what you all love about me! But now that I’ve stopped to think about it, it’s going to bug me! I’ll give you guys some time to answer before I go to my bible…Google!

Toodles:)

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One Response to “Question of the Week - Passed with Flying Colours…”

  1. Jo :)
    May 21st, 2009 - 10:18 am

    i got a responce via email from both my mom and dad on this one…isn’t it ever so slightly depressing that they are the first ones to read and respond to my blog…nearly everytime???

    anyhoo here is what my mom wrote:
    “I would definitely go with the pirate interpretation
    - yes, your flags is still flying and the enemy did not shoot you down!
    i.e. you “passed” the enemy and survived.”

    and here is what my dad wrote (he has the maritime background, so should know the answer):”Flying colours has it origins in the early days of naval warfare and ships only source of power was from the wind, the practice of entering port after a battle with flags flying from all masts. I surmise that the folks of the time would deduce from the number of masts a vessel still had remaining how easy the battle had been.”

    thanks to both of you…