Ships, Sauces and Teeth
Leave It To The English
Should I use a tree service that is “A1”, “A.1.”, “A-1”, or “1-A”?
You can’t go wrong with selecting a tree company earning any of those excellent ratings.
Captains
The oldest term goes back pre-American Revolution when Lloyd’s Registry, a British company that insured ships, coined the term to classify their ships.
Before any ship was insured, the company inspected it and then rated it. The letters A, E, I, O and U were used to indicate the condition of the hull of the ship, and the numbers 1, 2, 3, etc. were used to indicate the state of the equipment (cables, anchor, etc.) on board. If the ship was rated A1, it meant that both the hull and the equipment were in excellent condition.
So, if a ship was rated A1, it meant that both its hull and the equipment were in perfect condition. Likewise, a rating of U4 meant the ship was in a really bad condition.
Cooks
Then in the early 1800’s it became associated with the royal approval of the British King when he declared the special sauce prepared by Henderson William Brand to be “A1”.
This proclamation ultimately inspired Brand to develop A.1. Sauce. Sold from 1831 as a condiment for meat or game dishes in the United Kingdom, it was later introduced to North America, where it was marketed as a steak sauce produced by Kraft Foods, A.1. Steak Sauce.
(Leave it to the English to start a language trend. Need I mention Austin Powers use of ‘shag’).
This is how the term/phrase "A1" got stuck and is now used to describe anything (not just ships) of the highest quality.
Classification
Even though men are not classified now, the Selective Service Classification process determined who is available for military service and who is deferred or exempted.
“1-A” meant “Available for military service”.
If the classifications used from 1948-1976 were based upon the famous “4-F” meaning “registrant not qualified for military service” then this process is over 150 years old stemming from the Civil War.
Even though the first cartridge bullet was invented in the mid-19th century, mass production of same had yet to begin by the time of the Civil War. Therefore, most people do not know that the term 4-F (or 4F) originated for the Civil War and was used to disqualify army recruits who did not have four front teeth with which to tear open gunpowder packages.
Climbing
We don’t give our employees, whether a tree climber, bucket or boom operator, stump grinder or groundsmen any special designation - we think they are all A1! So, when you’re seeking excellent tree services performed by a tree company in business for nearly two-decades and fully insured, give J’s Tree Trimming & Removal a call for a free estimate.
For More Information about Brand and the Selective Service process, keep reading...
1824-1831 In a time when a kings palate was supreme. Henderson William Brand, chef to England's King George IV, creates a special sauce for the king's table. The king is so impressed with the new sauce, he proclaims it "A1".
Who was Henderson William Brand (1805 – 1893)?
He was born in Durham in the North East of England and worked in the kitchen of King George IV (1762 – 1830) before being appointed head chef to Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester (1754 – 1842). From 1833 Brand was a writer of popular cookbooks.
Brand established a factory/shop on 11 Little Stanhope Street in Mayfair, London in 1835. His first product was Essence of Chicken. It was produced by heating chopped meat inside a pot until it separated into fat, fibre and “liquid essence”, a clear amber liquid. It was recommended as a substitute for brandy in relieving exhaustion and nervous ailments. Brand had allegedly developed the product for the convalescent king.
A.1. Sauce (formerly A.1. Steak Sauce) is a brand of steak sauce produced by Kraft Foods which includes tomato purée, raisin paste, distilled vinegar, corn syrup, salt, crushed orange purée, dried garlic and onions, spice, celery seed, caramel color, and xanthan gum. The original sauce included more expensive malt vinegar, molasses, and marmalade in its ingredients.
Many civilians, as well as military personnel, are familiar with the term 4-F (also called 4F). 4-F is a classification given to a new U.S. military registrant indicating that he or she is “not acceptable for service in the Armed Forces” due to medical, dental, or other reasons.
Classifications are based on each individual registrant's circumstances and beliefs. A classification program would go into effect when Congress and the President decide to resume a draft. Then, men who are qualified for induction would have the opportunity to file a claim for exemptions, deferments, and postponements from military service.
The following is a list of the more commonly used Selective Service classifications from 1948 – 1976. Roman numerals I, II, III, IV, V were sometimes used:
1-A - Available for military service.
1-AM - Medical specialist available for military service.
1-A-O - Conscientious Objector - Conscientiously opposed to training and military service requiring the use of arms - fulfills his service obligation in a noncombatant position within the military. Those classified 1-A-O are conscientious objectors available for noncombatant military service.
1-A-OM - Medical specialist conscientious objector available for noncombatant military service.
1-C - Member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the Coast and Geodetic Survey, or the Public Health Service. (Enl) - enlisted; (Ind) - inducted; (Dis) - discharged
1-D - Member of a Reserve component or student taking military training.
1-H - Registrant not currently subject to processing for induction or alternative service.
Note: Within the cessation of registrant processing in 1976, all registrants (except for a few alleged violators of the Military Selective Service Act) were classified 1-H regardless of any previous classification.
1-O - Conscientious objector available for civilian work contributing to the national health, safety or interest.
1-OM - Medical specialist conscientious objector available for civilian work contributing to the national health, safety or interest.
1-S - Student deferred by statue - (H) high school; (C) college.
1-W - Conscientious objector performing civilian work in the national health, safety or interest. (Rel) - Released.
1-Y - Registrant qualified for service only in time of war or national emergency.
Note: The 1-Y classification was abolished December 10, 1971. Local boards were subsequently instructed to reclassify all 1-Y registrants by administrative action.
2-A - Registrant deferred because of civilian occupation (except agriculture).
2-AM - Medical specialist deferred because of critical community need involving patient care.
2-C - Registrant deferred because of agricultural occupation.
2-D - Ministerial Students - Deferred from military service.
2-M - Registrant deferred for medical study.
2-S - Registrant deferred because of activity in study.
3-A - Hardship Deferment - Deferred from military service because service would cause hardship upon his family.
4-A - Registrant who has completed service; or sole surviving son.
4-B - Official deferred by law.
4-C - Alien or Dual National - Sometimes exempt from military service.
4-D - Ministers of Religion - Exempted from military service.
4-E - Conscientious objector opposed to both combatant and noncombatant training and service.
4-F - Registrant not qualified for military service.
4-FM - Medical specialist not qualified for military service.
4-G - Sole surviving son.
4-W - Conscientious objector who has completed civilian alternate service.
5-A - Registrant over the age of liability for military service.