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- DictionaryThe thin blue line
- ▪ used to refer to the police, typically in the context of situations of civil unrest
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The "blue" in "thin blue line" refers to the blue color of the uniforms of many police departments. The phrase originated as an allusion to The Thin Red Line incident during the Crimean War in 1854, wherein a Scottish regiment —wearing red uniforms —famously held off a Imperial Russian Army cavalry charge.
Oct 26, 2020 · What does the thin blue line mean? The most reliable account of the origin of the thin blue line is the story of the thin red line. A red-coated Scottish regiment of the British Army during the Crimean War heroically stood, outnumbered, against repeated Russian attacks.
Nov 23, 2020 · What is the Thin Blue Line? The phrase Thin Blue Line represents the idea that law enforcement (associated with blue uniforms) acts as the barrier (or “line”) between the community they protect and lawlessness. In the 2010s, the Thin Blue Line has also been used to refer to a black flag with a blue line running horizontally across the ...
Aug 18, 2017 · A black-and-white American flag with a thin blue line across its center appeared among the Confederate flags toted by the white supremacists and neo-Nazis during the violent protests.
The rich and deep symbolism of the thin blue line, and the flag on which it appears, is not a flag of defiance. It is not part of a battle cry by police officers of aggression toward the public or those who oppose law and order.
Jun 9, 2020 · The idea of a “thin blue line” can be traced all the way back to an 1854 British battle formation, a “thin red line” used during the Crimean War and then popularized in art, poetry and song.
What started as a phrase, became popularized as a graphic image, then unfurled as a thin blue line flag, has been around for a long time. The thin blue line is seen on police cars, lapel pins, coffee cups and COVID-19 masks. Only recently has the thin blue line flag sparked controversy.
Jun 10, 2024 · What Is the Thin Blue Line? The Thin Blue Line is a symbol that represents the relationship between law enforcement and the community. The thin blue line was created to honor fallen officers and support law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line daily to protect civilians from harm.
Feb 25, 2023 · The Thin Blue Line is a symbol that represents the law enforcement community in the United States. It has been used on flags, patches, and other memorabilia to show support for law enforcement officers and to honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The imagery of a single blue line on a black-and-white American flag - inspired by the phrase "Thin Blue Line" - has sparked a fiery debate over the role of police and law enforcement.
