Old Glory is an affectionate nickname for the American flag. The name comes from a specific flag owned by a sea captain named William Driver in the 1820s. When he first raised his new flag on his ship, he called out “Old Glory!” and the name stuck. Driver's actual flag survived for decades and became famous, and eventually Americans started using “Old Glory” to refer to the American flag in general.

When people call the flag Old Glory, they're expressing respect and fondness for what it represents: the country, its history, and the ideals of freedom and self-government. You might hear someone say “Old Glory is flying” when the flag is raised, or read about soldiers protecting Old Glory during a battle.

The nickname suggests something both dignified and familiar, like calling a beloved grandparent by a special name. It's more emotional than simply saying “the flag” but less formal than “the flag of the United States of America.” When you hear someone refer to Old Glory, they're talking about the same red, white, and blue flag with fifty stars and thirteen stripes, but they're also expressing a feeling of patriotic affection.