Bond
03-23-2006, 04:45 PM
BLUE
Usage, symbolism, and colloquial expressions
Blue often denotes injury, such as in the phrase "black and blue," since it is the color of a bruise. Blue is used also as a word to denote a sad or melancholy state, as in depression, or simply a state of deep contemplation (however, the phrase "blue skies," referring to sunny weather, implies cheerfulness). Symbolically, blue is associated with that state, such as the term blue period to describe Pablo Picasso's work form 1901 to 1904.
- Blue is associated with water.
- Blue sky is a term used to describe the ability to conceptualize or create something from nothing. In other words, ex nihilo. It is a term that can describe a person, i.e. She's an amazing blue sky business analyst. It can also be used to illustrate constraints, i.e. You cannot work from a blue sky angle as there are limitations to what can be done for this project.
- In old Australian slang, a "blue" can also describe a fight or an argument. Men with red hair may be nicknamed "Bluey". The phrase "true blue" also means "genuine" (example : "He's a true blue Aussie").
- A blue joke or blue comedy is comedy which uses references to socially taboo subjects such as sexual or lavatorial double entendre.
- Blue law is the term for laws regulating issues of morality, such as alcohol, gambling, or pornography.
- Although blue is traditionally associated with boys as pink is associated with girls, there have also been periods in which pink was considered proper for boys and blue for girls, and times when no set color convention appears to have been in place.
- Blue is the color of the snooker ball which has a 5-point value.
- Blue is a variety of credit card issued by American Express.
- The German word for blue is used for "drunk". "blau machen" (make blue) means to skip work.
- In Russian, the word for light blue is slang for "gay".
- Blue movie is a slang term for a pornographic film. There are also "blue magazines". This term is most common in Britain but also used in the United States and Israel.
- In auto racing, a blue flag advises a car to yield to faster traffic behind.
- Blue balls is a slang term for a temporary fluid congestion in the scrotum and prostate region. It is most commonly associated with adolescents but can occur in any sexually mature male. It is often accompanied by a deep, agonizing, cramping ache.
- Royalty are sometimes described as having blue blood.
- A "blue chip" is the nickname for a stock that is thought to be safe and in excellent financial shape.
- In the United States, $1 bills are delivered by the Federal Reserve Bank in blue straps.
- Blue is often a colour used to symbolise honesty and trustworthiness. Hence it is used by mortgage companies and banks.
Usage, symbolism, and colloquial expressions
Blue often denotes injury, such as in the phrase "black and blue," since it is the color of a bruise. Blue is used also as a word to denote a sad or melancholy state, as in depression, or simply a state of deep contemplation (however, the phrase "blue skies," referring to sunny weather, implies cheerfulness). Symbolically, blue is associated with that state, such as the term blue period to describe Pablo Picasso's work form 1901 to 1904.
- Blue is associated with water.
- Blue sky is a term used to describe the ability to conceptualize or create something from nothing. In other words, ex nihilo. It is a term that can describe a person, i.e. She's an amazing blue sky business analyst. It can also be used to illustrate constraints, i.e. You cannot work from a blue sky angle as there are limitations to what can be done for this project.
- In old Australian slang, a "blue" can also describe a fight or an argument. Men with red hair may be nicknamed "Bluey". The phrase "true blue" also means "genuine" (example : "He's a true blue Aussie").
- A blue joke or blue comedy is comedy which uses references to socially taboo subjects such as sexual or lavatorial double entendre.
- Blue law is the term for laws regulating issues of morality, such as alcohol, gambling, or pornography.
- Although blue is traditionally associated with boys as pink is associated with girls, there have also been periods in which pink was considered proper for boys and blue for girls, and times when no set color convention appears to have been in place.
- Blue is the color of the snooker ball which has a 5-point value.
- Blue is a variety of credit card issued by American Express.
- The German word for blue is used for "drunk". "blau machen" (make blue) means to skip work.
- In Russian, the word for light blue is slang for "gay".
- Blue movie is a slang term for a pornographic film. There are also "blue magazines". This term is most common in Britain but also used in the United States and Israel.
- In auto racing, a blue flag advises a car to yield to faster traffic behind.
- Blue balls is a slang term for a temporary fluid congestion in the scrotum and prostate region. It is most commonly associated with adolescents but can occur in any sexually mature male. It is often accompanied by a deep, agonizing, cramping ache.
- Royalty are sometimes described as having blue blood.
- A "blue chip" is the nickname for a stock that is thought to be safe and in excellent financial shape.
- In the United States, $1 bills are delivered by the Federal Reserve Bank in blue straps.
- Blue is often a colour used to symbolise honesty and trustworthiness. Hence it is used by mortgage companies and banks.