E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Blue Peter.
A flag with a blue ground and white square in the centre, hoisted as a signal that the ship is about to sail. Peter is a corruption of the
French partir (leave or notice of departure). The flag is hoisted to give notice to the town that any person having a money-claim may make it before the ship starts, and that all about to sail are to come on board.
1
According to Falconer, it is a corruption of the “blue repeater.”
2
In whist, it is a “call for trumps”; that is, laying on your partner’s card a higher one than is required.
3
To hoist the blue Peter. To leave.
4
“‘When are you going to sail?’
“‘I cannot justly say. Our ship’s bound for America next voyage … but I’ve got to go to the Isle of Man first … And I may have to hoist the blue Peter any day.’”—Mrs. Gaskell: Mary Burton, chap. xiii.
