NAUTICAL SAYINGS (TRUE COLOURS)

THE TRUTH ABOUT COLOURS
According to Cyndi Lauper ‘true colours are beautiful like a rainbow.’ As we all know the phrase is rarely used in the context of something beautiful. Indeed it usually refers to the discovery of something unsavoury or dark about an individual. And the alleged origins of the saying be more in accordance with the latter.
Ships of old, in particular warships often had on board flags of many nations as a means of deception. However the rules of engagement called for all vessels to fly their true national emblem before they were permitted to open fire on an enemy. More underhand captains would sometimes have the flag of their enemy flying whilst entering a war zone and as soon as they were within firing range they would swap the flag for their true national colours. Hardly a beautiful thing to do.
Cyndi you live in a fantasy world!

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