blue language / humor

[jessicapier]

I know that "blue language" means profanity, but what's the derivation of the phrase? Related to "off-color?"

[Quizmonster]

Blue laws were those set by Puritans in America in the 17th century, generally forbidding anything resembling enjoyment - particularly on the Sabbath - and seemingly published on blue paper. In addition, the censor of British plays - someone appointed by the Lord Chamberlain - had to vet theatrical and, later, film-scripts with a view to cutting out anything obscene. He would score through any offending words with a blue-coloured pencil. So, 'blue' in general took on the meaning of 'smutty'.

'Off-colour' has had the same suggestion of obscenity since the late 19th century. This probably came about because of the already-existing connection between the colour blue and the risqu�.