Taps is the name of the final call of the evening in the United States military. The call is sounded at an interval after Tattoo. … One explanation is that Taps is derived from the Dutch word Tap-toe or Tattoo. The call of Tattoo was used in order to assemble soldiers for the last roll call of the day.

How did taps get its name?

As for the name “Taps,” the most likely explanation is that it comes from the fact that prior to Butterfield’s bugle call, the lights-out call was followed by three drum beats, dubbed the “Drum Taps,” as well as “The Taps” and then simply “Taps.” When Butterfield’s call replaced the drum beats, soldiers referred to it …

Why is the last post called taps?

It originated with British troops stationed in the Netherlands, where it drew on an older Dutch custom, called taptoe, from which comes the term tattoo as in Military tattoo. The taptoe was also used to signal the end of the day, but originated from a signal that beer taps had to be shut, hence that the day had ended.