# Blazer question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blazer-question/214231>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 20, 2003, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blazer-question/214231 "2003-11-20T01:49:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![insider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@insider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/insider)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blazer-question/214231/1 "2003-11-20T01:49:39Z")

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Why are certain sport coats called Blazers?

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**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blazer-question/214231/2 "2003-11-20T04:55:01Z")

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I suspect because they have insignia emblazoned onto their top pocket.

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**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blazer-question/214231/3 "2003-11-20T11:24:48Z")

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From [Online Etymology Dictionary:](http://www.geocities.com/etymonline/)

> [@](#):
>
> **blaze** (1) - “fire,” O.E. _blæse_ “a torch, flame,” from P.Gmc. \*_blason_, from PIE \*_bhles-_ “shine,” from base \*_bhel-_ (see black). The verb is c.1225.
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> **blazer** - “bright-colored jacket,” 1880, British university slang, from _blaze (1)_, in reference to the red flannel jackets worn by the Lady Margaret, St. John College, Cambridge boating club.

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**Author:** ![quiltguy154](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ad7895/32.png) [@quiltguy154](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy154)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blazer-question/214231/4 "2003-11-20T11:26:13Z")

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One attribution is they were named after a British ship, one H.M.S. _Blazer_. Supposedly the officers wore them, and looked rather spiffy, word got around. This tale has been discounted in two books that I’ve read.