In medieval England, knights bachelor (doesn’t mean they weren’t married; they were just ordinary knights) served under a superior knight and couldn’t have subordinate knights serving under them. They were entitled, however, to fly an identifying pennon, a triangular flag. If they were promoted, they could cut the tail off the pennon to create a square or rectangle, known as a banner, and thus become a knight banneret (later transposed to the meaningless term “knight baronet”), able to serve on his own account and to have knights bachelor serve under him.

Ch J Kathleen (“TBS = The Big Shillelagh”) Kerrigan announces the swearing-in of former STJ Adam B. (“Sport”) Landy as Judge of the United States Tax Court, the first such promotion in more than twenty-five (count  ’em, twenty-five) years. So pass Judge Sport Landy the shears to cut the tails off the pennon.

Judge Kashi Way comes to US Tax Court bench from the Joint Congressional Committee on Taxation, that august body whose Miltonian function is to “justifye the wayes” of Congress to man. I haven’t yet found an appropriate cognomen for Judge Way, but I’m accepting suggestions.

And while we’re about it, don’t forget to let me know if Judge Landy should continue to bear the jazzy, Great Gatsby nickname of “Sport,” or transition to the old Navy moniker for an enlisted sailor who gets an officer’s commission, “Mustang,” with its rough-and-ready, hard-riding allusions.

Finally, of course, congratulations and best wishes to the new Judges. I’m sure we all look forward to great opinions.