last post, taps

In Canada and Britain, last post refers to a bugle call sounded at the end of the military day, at Remembrance Day ceremonies and at funerals. Last post is usually not capitalized.

  • Hearing the last post on Remembrance Day always gives me a chill.

In the United States, the corresponding bugle call (which does not have the same tune) is known as taps. Taps is usually not capitalized, except in reference to titles. Taps takes a singular verb.

  • In the United States, taps is sounded at funerals, wreath-laying and memorial services.
  • Scouts and Guides usually close their meetings by singing “Taps.”

Copyright notice for Writing Tips Plus

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
A tool created and made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Search by related themes

Want to learn more about a theme discussed on this page? Click on a link below to see all the pages on the Language Portal of Canada that relate to the theme you selected. The search results will be displayed in Language Navigator.