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red ribbon
DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)
n. — also Games
a ribbon awarded for first place in a race or contest.
Type: 3. Semantic Change — In Canada, a red ribbon is awarded for first place and a blue ribbon for second. In the US it is just the opposite; contests give first place a blue ribbon and second place a red ribbon (see the 2012 quotation).
See also COD-2, s.v. "red ribbon" (1a), which is described as "in Canada", and OED-3, s.v. "red ribbon" (1b-b), which is marked "chiefly Canad.".
See also COD-2, s.v. "red ribbon" (1a), which is described as "in Canada", and OED-3, s.v. "red ribbon" (1b-b), which is marked "chiefly Canad.".
Quotations
1895
The coachers over three years old were grand lot, the German horse Graf Bremer capturing the red ribbon.
1920
Yesterday the new idea shot before the old and a farm boy from the township of Nichol went to Guelph with his reddish cross-bred calf and took the red ribbon of superiority from animals that represent the highest product of Canadian skill in the breeding and fitting of show cattle.
1946
It was an all-Ontario class with the single exception of Paul W. entered by Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Flanery of Northbrook, lll. which won the red ribbon. The winner has recorded a 2.04 1/4 mile on the track. Patricia Volo, owned by E. [ ] Foster and Son, Galt, and driven by Earl Foster placed second and the owner-driven Rose Lee of J. L. Wright, Listowel, third.
1978
Although Ireland's Captain Con Power, on Rockbarton, claimed the red ribbon with a clean 35.1-second ride in the final class, Torchy Millar wrapped up the international team championship for Canada when he piloted Eaden Vale to a second-place faultless finish in 35.9 seconds in the McKee Stakes.
1998
A collector of vintage Kenworth trucks, Cooper, 45, finds himself invited to many parades. And, like the small town parade that particular Saturday, it wasn't the bright, first place, red ribbon he took home that he bragged about. It was the children.
2001
Anyone can enter, and prizes will be offered in a number of different categories, including youth, adults, seniors, and professionals. First prize in each category will be a red ribbon and $15. Second and third place finishers will receive ribbons.
2012
The Guinness World Record for the heaviest pumpkin is 821.23 kilograms (1,810 pounds, 8 ounces) and measured 4.73 metres or 15 feet 6 inches in circumference at the Stillwater Harvest Fest in Minnesota last year.
At most fall fairs in Canada, first place is a red ribbon, second is blue, but that is reversed in the U.S.
References
- COD-2
- OED-3