Does White Feather Mean?

The white feather is a widely recognised symbol. It has, among other things, represented cowardice or conscientious pacifism; as in A. E. W. Mason's 1902 book, The Four Feathers. In Britain during the First World War it was often given to men out of uniform by women to shame them publicly into signing up.

What was the purpose of the white feather?

The Order of the White Feather was founded in Britain in August 1914 as part of a strategy to encourage women to pressure their family and friends into enlisting. White feathers were given to young, fit men who did not volunteer for service.

Why were conscientious objectors given white feathers?

In the First World War some young men not in uniform were approached by ladies and given white feathers as a token of cowardice. ... In August 1914 Admiral Charles Fitzgerald deputised 30 women in Folkstone to hand out white feathers to men not wearing military uniform.