Word Request – What Are Pieces of Cardboard with Political Slogans Called?
phrase-requestword-request
What do you call these? Protest signs?
Best Answer
Calling them signs is perfectly fine. I would describe this photo as people carrying protest signs.
With a few exceptions, English (at least American English) does not have different words for signs in different contexts. Instead, the type of sign meant is usually determined by the context.
If I say...
A throng of protesters with signs
It's reasonable to assume I mean protest signs or placards as in the photo from the question.
Workers were picketing the company for better wages
They were probably carrying picket signs. Picketing is basically a special type of protesting, where workers protest against a specific employer.
We need to fuel up the car, help me look for signs
This probably means look for gas station signs.
I couldn't believe how elaborate the signs in Las Vegas were...
Yard signs are signs people put in their yards, usually to promote a cause or political candidate, or advertise a local event.
Signs companies put up to identify their businesses are usually just called signs.
There are some exceptions.
A large roadside advertising sign is called a billboard, and a sign advertising a theatrical performance is called a playbill. In the past, the word "bill" was used to mean written advertising in public. For the most part this has fallen out of use, but it still hangs around in these specific phrases.
You may sometimes see signs that say "Post No Bills." This is, somewhat humorously, a sign telling you not to put up any signs.
Another exception is the marquee. This is a structural piece which overhangs the front of a building, and also acts as a sign. Nowadays it's most often used to refer to theater signs.
Best Answer
Calling them signs is perfectly fine. I would describe this photo as people carrying protest signs.
With a few exceptions, English (at least American English) does not have different words for signs in different contexts. Instead, the type of sign meant is usually determined by the context.
If I say...
It's reasonable to assume I mean protest signs or placards as in the photo from the question.
They were probably carrying picket signs. Picketing is basically a special type of protesting, where workers protest against a specific employer.
This probably means look for gas station signs.
This is probably talking about the famous Vegas casino signs.
In cases where context may not make it clear, we will use adjectives to identify the type of sign.
A street sign means the sign that identifies the name of a street.
A traffic sign is a sign that provides instructions or rules for traffic, such as speed limits, lane changes, stop signs, and so on.
Real estate signs are signs advertising property for sale.
Yard signs are signs people put in their yards, usually to promote a cause or political candidate, or advertise a local event.
Signs companies put up to identify their businesses are usually just called signs.
There are some exceptions.
A large roadside advertising sign is called a billboard, and a sign advertising a theatrical performance is called a playbill. In the past, the word "bill" was used to mean written advertising in public. For the most part this has fallen out of use, but it still hangs around in these specific phrases.
You may sometimes see signs that say "Post No Bills." This is, somewhat humorously, a sign telling you not to put up any signs.
Another exception is the marquee. This is a structural piece which overhangs the front of a building, and also acts as a sign. Nowadays it's most often used to refer to theater signs.