blue ˈribbon, riband
1. A ribbon of blue silk worn as a badge of honour; esp. the broad dark blue ribbon worn by members of the order of the Garter.
| 1651 Let. fr. France in Proc. in Parl. No. 116. 1800 The Queen [of France] hath sent to the Count of Doignion..promising him the staffe of the Marshall of France, and of a blew Ribbon. 1690 Temple Ess. Health Wks. 1731 I. 274 A White Staff will not help gouty Feet..nor a Blue Ribband bind up a Wound so well as a Fillet. 1867 Morley Burke 56 Rising to thunderous denunciations of ‘the noble lord in the blue ribbon.’ |
2. The greatest distinction, the most distinguished place, the first prize.
| 1848 Disraeli in Harper's Mag. Aug. (1883) 340/2 ‘You do not know what the Derby is!’ ‘Yes, I do. It is the Blue Ribbon of the Turf.’ 1875 Poste Gaius i. §7. 37 The blue ribbon of the profession should never be conferred on any lawyer who had antiquarian notions of constitutional law. 1883 Standard 21 May 2/1 The Blue Riband of the Turf is destined to go to Heath House. |
3. A small strip of blue ribbon worn by certain abstainers from alcoholic beverages, as a means of mutual recognition, and as a public indication of their principles; hence to take the blue ribbon. Blue Ribbon Army: the association of such Total Abstainers. Hence blue-ribboner, blue-ribbonism, blue-ribbonist, blue-ribbonite.
| 1878 Christian 16 May (heading) Gospel-Temperance in Hoxton—A ‘Blue Ribbon Army.’ 1882 Society 11 Nov. 22/2 He has joined..the Blue Ribboners. Ibid. 30 Dec. 20/1 [It] would make even a blue-ribbon man think kindlily of spirits. 1884 Graphic 9 Aug. 134/2 At an hotel it might be supposed that most people have taken the Blue Ribbon. 1885 Athenæum 31 Oct. 567/3 Such forms of extravagance as ritualism and blue-ribbonism. 1885 C. Lowe Life Bismarck II. 488 Not his the heart that could be cheered by blue-ribbon liquors. |