| At first glance, the words in the title of this article | | | | Emblem can also signify authority, but it's much more |
| may all seem synonymous; that is, they may appear | | | | common to think of it in terms of a representation |
| to be nothing more than three ways of saying the | | | | of our ideas. In other words, it is a symbol of |
| same thing. In truth, however, there are differences, | | | | something that's important to us. |
| albeit subtle ones. | | | | Why does it matter? |
| In this article, I want to show you what those | | | | I mentioned earlier that the distinctions between |
| differences are, why they matter, and the criteria | | | | them were important because of the messages they |
| you ought to use when deciding whether to use auto | | | | gave to others. For example, in the case of auto |
| emblems or something else for your car. These | | | | emblems, the symbol says something about you as |
| distinctions are important because each one sends a | | | | the driver. If it simply shows the name of the |
| message about you to those who see it, and that | | | | dealership where you bought the car, then anyone |
| may be very different from the one you intended. | | | | who likes it will know where they can get one, too. |
| What did these words mean originally? | | | | If it depicts a national flag, then everyone will know |
| So to begin with, let's consider the original meanings | | | | that you're proud of your country. If it exhibits the |
| of these words. Etymonline is a web site that does | | | | logo of a particular group of athletes, then everyone |
| just that. According to them, the word emblem was | | | | will know that you support that team. |
| derived from French and Greek, and referred to | | | | Badges, for the most part, are used to convey |
| "inlaid ornamental work" that was "thrown in." In this | | | | authority. On military bases, a general will have a |
| sense, it was symbolic of something else. | | | | license plate with the appropriate number of stars on |
| The word badge probably referred to emblem when | | | | it. In a parade, the Grand Marshal's car will be |
| it was first used in the 15th century. The word decal | | | | designated in some way so that everyone knows |
| was not used until the early 20th century and is a | | | | that that automobile is his, hers, or theirs. A decal, |
| shortened version of decalcomania or the French | | | | can also be a badge as in those that are door-sized |
| "decalcomania." However, it referred to what was | | | | and affixed to the sides of police cars. |
| known in 18th century England as "transfer printing" - | | | | Auto emblems also say something about the |
| a process in which a design or drawing was | | | | economic strata from which the driver comes or |
| transferred from paper to glass or porcelain in the | | | | aspires to. Popular auto emblems include a horse on |
| kiln. The print was fixed to the object and when it | | | | its hind legs (Ferrari) and two capital Rs superimposed |
| was fired, the paper vanished, leaving the picture on | | | | one on top of the other (Rolls Royce). Manufacturers |
| the plate, vase, or bowl. | | | | use auto emblems to send a message about their |
| What do these words mean today? | | | | brand to their customers. One can hardly imagine |
| The word decal is not found in Roget's Thesaurus; | | | | them using a decal for this. |
| but the word badge is, and here we discover that it | | | | What's your message? |
| can be used in three ways. The way that most of us | | | | What message do you want to send to others? Do |
| are accustomed to is as a means to identify | | | | you want to impress them, inspire them, cajole |
| authority. So we have police or detective badges and | | | | them? Do you want them to think more of you, less |
| military badges. Sometimes, we refer to the manner | | | | of you, or you don't care? Your attitudes will |
| in which someone behaves as a badge of this | | | | determine your behaviour. The next time you go to |
| profession or that profession: the badge of a | | | | your car, meander around it, and ask yourself: "What |
| servant, valet, groom or bailiff. Other times, we refer | | | | does it say about me?" "What auto emblems would |
| to a form of behavior, usually disreputable, that is the | | | | tell people who I really am, or who I want to be?" |
| result of the opinions or feelings of others about us. | | | | There's no time like the present. |