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blue riband

19:19 Jul 2, 2003
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
English term or phrase: blue riband
Blue riband? Please help me clarify the term.


_____
100 m
The shortest race in the outdoor timetable, the 100 m sprint offers the purest expression of human speed and has become one of the "blue riband" athletic events.
trans_02
Local time: 19:53


SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +2Blue riband, blue ribbon
David Moore (X)
3 +3blue ribbon
Kim Metzger
4 +1blue ribbon
Terry Burgess
4Post grading: Name of the trophy awarded to the passenger carrying ship which......
DGK T-I


  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
blue ribbon


Explanation:
The word 'ribband' is rarely used in US English. I think you'll that it's more common in British English. But the meaning is the same.


    Reference: http://www.blueriband-accommodation.com/
    Merriam Websters
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 17:53
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 2249

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Christopher Crockett: I've never seen "ribband".
14 mins
agree  DGK T-I: title given to the passenger ship which holds the record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic between Britain & the US.A title held by many famous ocean liners in their day.Perhaps 'blue ribband events' is a ref. to this once legendary competition
1 hr
agree  airmailrpl
1 day 12 hrs
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4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
blue ribbon


Explanation:
Luck!
terry


    NN
Terry Burgess
Mexico
Local time: 17:53
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 119

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  airmailrpl
1 day 12 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Post grading: Name of the trophy awarded to the passenger carrying ship which......


Explanation:
....holds the record (at any given time) for the fastest ever crossing of the Atlantic between Britain & USA (by a passenger ship). In their day, famous ocean liners held this title. It's a famous informal competition / honour. The blue ribband, as said is simply an old name for a blue ribbon. Possibly mention of speed competitions generally comes from this.

DGK T-I
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:53
PRO pts in pair: 401
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11 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Blue riband, blue ribbon


Explanation:
Here is a proper explanation of the term's origin - I'm not claiming no-one has given examples of its correct use, but the term positively cries out for an explanation to be given:
The OED definition is
"1651. 1. A ribbon of blue silk, worn as a badge of honour, especially the blue ribbon of the Order of the Garter; 2. The greatest distinction, the first place or prize 1848; 3 A small strip of blue ribbon worn as a distinctive badge by certain teetotallers 1878."

David Moore (X)
Local time: 01:53
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 876

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  DGK T-I: The first definition makes it a very old tradition indeed. Interesting.Thank you.
36 mins
agree  airmailrpl
1 day 1 hr
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