Supporters of the salute say that the words "Za dom" () were used in the 19th century by Ban Josip Jelačić, while he was leading the army from Varaždin into a battle with Hungarians. Allegedly, the army replied with: "Spremni!" (). However, historians have found no historical document or any other credible evidence quoting Jelačić using "Za dom"! Instead, the phrase "Za dom i narod Slavjanski" () appears on a decorative mini gloriette presented to Jelačić commemorating the events of 1848.