Is it true that no one knows the origin of the name “Canada”?
A number of sources credit the name Canada to a meeting in 1535 between the explorer Jacques Cartier and two native Indians. The Indians told Cartier the route to a certain “kanata”. Kanata meant “village” or “settlement”, but Cartier applied the name to the entire area rather than just the village. Over the next 200 years the name Canada was used to refer various parts of the present-day country. Canada was not used as an official name until 1791. It was only with confederation in 1867 that the term was applied to the entire country.
Joseph Luchok,
Arlington, Virginia
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Why do we have three lions on our shirts?
Further to the answers (Q&A, June 16), the shield on the England football shirts is the coat of arms granted to the Football Association on March 30, 1949, by the English Kings of Arms. It is blazoned, “Argent semee of Tudor Roses proper three Lions passant guardant in pale Azure”. It is reminiscent of the Royal Arms of England, but the colours have been changed and the Tudor roses added. The Football Association was granted a crest, supporters and a badge in 1979.
The three lions and coronet on England cricket shirts are also reminiscent of the Royal Arms but, as they are not on a shield, they are not classified as heraldry.
Henry Bedingfeld,
The College of Arms, London EC4
Is the art of graffiti dead?
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In addition to your last answers (Q&A, June 11, 14, 15, 16, 17), many years ago I noticed a poster advertising “Latest Acquisitions” by our University Record Club. Beneath the LP for “Bach’s Organ Works”, someone had written “So does mine”.
Dr Nigel Haig,
Gravesend, Kent
Written on the back of a dirty white prison transportation van on the M6 recently: “Crooks Tours.”
Ken Vickers,
Blackpool
Outside the maternity ward of a local hospital was a poster showing a baby at the moment of birth. It stated: “The first two minutes of life are the most dangerous”. Underneath was added “The last two are pretty dodgy as well”.
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E. C. McCarthy,
Stamford, Lincolnshire
The plinth of a recently erected equestrian statue in Gloucester of the Roman Emperor Nerva acquired the words “Romani ite domum” in June last year. They were quickly removed by council workmen.
Geoffrey Johnston,
Gloucester
Many years ago at Hampstead Heath railway station, we had “More female train drivers — a woman’s right to choo-choos.”
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Peter Kenyatta,
London NW3
My favourite was a “one way” sign on a wall, to which had been added “the other way” with an opposing arrow.
Ian Curd,
Ballater, Aberdeenshire