Blue is the colour

Q. Why do we get 'the blues'

A. A fit of the blues or feeling blue, meaning that one depressed or in low spirits, is short for Blue Devils.

Q. Why blue

A. Studies have shown that workers in the indigo dyeing industry were especially subject to gloominess. Studies of the effects of certain colours on psychological states indicate that a blue-painted room can cause depression. These studies back up a traditional association of the colour with melancholy.

Q. What does blue symbolise

A. In Christian tradition blue is the symbol of Divine eternity and human immortality. When used in art for the robes of an angel it signifies fidelity, and as the dress of the Virgin, it indicates modesty. In heraldry it signifies chastity, loyalty, fidelity and a spotless reputation.

Q. How else do we use blue in phrases and sayings

A.

Blue: politically conservative; the colour of the British Tory Party

A dark blue: an Oxford man or Harrow boy.

A light blue: a Cambridge man or Eton boy.

An old blue: someone who has taken part in Oxford and Cambridge university sports, especially the annual boat race on the Thames

True blue: the notion that the veins showing through the skin of aristocrats are more blue than the rest of us; hence blue-blooded

True blue will never stain: meaning that 'a noble heart will never disgrace itself', it comes from the blue aprons worn by butchers, which do not show blood stains

True as Coventry blue: the reference is to a blue cloth and blue thread made at Coventry, noted for its permanent dye

A bluebeard: a bogeyman or a merciless tyrant, from the character in Charles Perrault's Contes du Temps

Blue Bonnets: Scottish Highlanders or the Scottish people in general, so called from the blue woollen cap at one time very common in Scotland

Blue books: in the UK, parliamentary reports and official publications presented by the Crown to both Houses of Parliament

Blue bottle: a policeman, so called from the colour of the uniform

Blue-eyed maid: Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, is described as such by Homer.

Blue film: pornographic film; perhaps because Chinese brothels were traditionally painted blue

Blue fish: a shark

Blue flag: in full, 'he has hoisted the blue flag', meaning that someone has gone into a trade, that is put on the traditional blue apron, especially publicans, fishmongers and butchers

Blue gown: a prostitute, from the colour of the dress they were supposed to wear in the House of Correction

Blue-jackets: sailors, because of the colour of the uniform

Blue Monday: the Monday before Lent, traditionally spent in dissipation before the fasting period began

Blue Noses: people of Nova Scotia, Canada; named, apparently, for a variety of potato grown in that province

Blue Peter: a flag with a blue ground and white square in the centre, hoisted as a signal that the ship is about to sail; peter comes from the French partir, to leave, and the flag was hoisted to give notice to the port that any person owed money by the owners of the ship should claim it before the ship starts, and that all crew and passengers are to come on board; so, to hoist the Blue Peter means 'to leave'

Blue ribbon: 'to be adorned with the blue ribbon' is to be made knight of the garter

Blue ribbon: a bruise

Blue stocking: a scholarly or intellectual woman

A blue wonder: from the German Blaues Wunder, which means 'a fanciful story'

To look blue: to be disconcerted, arising from the physiological fact that fear drives the colour from the cheeks and makes one look grey or blue

Once in a blue moon: very rarely indeed.

The Oxford Blues: the Royal Horse Guards

To shout blue murder: to shout in terror or alarm

See also the article on Blue Moon

For more on Phrases & Sayings click here

By Simon Smith