A 1 is a term used to describe anything unusually good. The term is often used today as a slang expression.
Lloyd’s of London, a great British insurance organization, first used the expression. Ships were graded on books at Lloyd’s according to the risk in insuring them. A ship rated A 1 was a sound, well-built ship that was not likely to sink. The insurance rates on such a ship were lower than on other ships. The credit ratings of business firms often appear on a graded list similar to the Lloyd’s list. The symbol A 1 after a firm’s name indicates a responsible company.
