Know Your English (Jan 2002)-11

Know your English

What is the study of flags called?

I understand that the academic study of flags is called "vexillology". The first syllable is like the word "vex" while the "i" in the second syllable sounds like the "i" in "bit", "kit", and "sit". Some people pronounce the first "lo" like the word "law", while the final "logy" sounds like the "logy" in "psychology", "biology", and "zoology". The main stress is on the third syllable. A person who designs flags is called "vexillographer"; the stress once again is on the third syllable. And a person who collects flags is called "vexillophile". Dr. Whitney Smith coined the word "vexillology".

Source:

The Hindu daily, Tuesday, Jan 08, 2002