Tina Norris Fields
tinanfields at torchlake.com
Mon Sep 22 15:09:52 CDT 2008
Hi Arthur, "Epaulette" is the diminutive form of "epaule" (should have an acute accent over that first 'e') - French for shoulder. Here is what the big Webster's says in defining 'epaulet' or 'epaulette': A shoulder piece; an ornamental badge worn on the shoulder by officers in the navy and army, and made of various forms and material according to the rank of the wearer. In the United States army it is worn only by general officers. Epaulets were worn in the British army until 1855, when their use was abolished, but they are still worn by all naval officers of and above the rank of lieutenant, and by some civil officers. All officers in the United States navy above the rank of ensign wear epaulets. Given that _epaulette_ is the name for the shoulder piece, I gambled that _manchette_ might be a name for a sleeve piece. Well, almost. Here is what the big Webster's says about that: Manchette - A cuff of a garment, commonly used for adornment. We're getting closer. A good tailor should be able to tell us. I went looking for trench-coats, since I recall mine has a buckled bit of fabric on each sleeve - the one I found online that looked similar referred to a "buckled cuff." Now, that isn't what I would call it, but then again, I'm not sure what to call it yet, either. I still like "manchette." Rank, of course, may be indicated by chevrons stitched onto the sleeve - I remember stitching on the fresh new chevrons earned by my marine son-in-law. It was an honor to do that little task for him. Hope I've helped you think. As we keep at it, we'll find just the word you are looking for. Kind regards, Tina Arthur Fuller wrote: > Thanks! > > On Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 2:52 PM, Don Bozarth <drboz at pacbell.net> wrote: > > >> The strap is a passant, the epaulette was originally the fringed ornamental >> shoulder piece. I don't belive the badge of rank worn on the passant is >> actually an epaulette. >> >> Don B. >> >> > _______________________________________________ > dba-Tech mailing list > dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > >