Funny Color Names: A Dirty Dozen
What do you get when you combine a box of Crayolas, a mischievous sense of humor, and the creative power of human language? A hilarious expedition into the world of 'dirty' colors, that's what! Prepare to be entertained (and maybe a little shocked) as we embark on this unexpected journey into the funny side of color naming.
A quick disclaimer before we dive in: this isn't about literal dirt or anything inappropriate. No, this is about the humor that arises when we take traditional color names and... let's say, 'reinterpret' them. Brace yourself, because things are about to get... colorful.
Unleashing the Mischief: Reimagining Classic Colors
Let's start with the basics, shall we? We're all familiar with the iconic 'Stop' signs, those bold red sentinels of safety, right? Well, in this alternative universe of ours, they're known for their... 'flesh-like' hue. That's right, let's welcome 'Cockscomb Red' to the scene.
But red isn't the only color with a NSFW doppelgänger. Meet 'Buff', the humble yet notorious cousin of 'Ivory'. 'Buff' might sound innocuous, but it's actually a rather... 'unclothed' beige. Imagine trying to explain that one to your colorblind friend!
When Neutrals Get Naughty
Speaking of neutrals, let's not forget 'Flesh'. Yes, that's the actual name for a color that's... well, rather personal. When color names get this specific, it's hard not to snicker. But hey, at least it's helpful for artists, right?
And if you thought 'Flesh' was eyebrow-raising, prepare for 'Skin'. No, not 'Skin Tone' or 'Skinny Dipping Blue' - just plain 'Skin'. It's... certainly a conversation starter. (Note to self: never use 'Skin' as a paint color in the kids' room.)
Brown: The Color of Everyday Taboos
Brown deserves its own subheading, because where there's humor in color naming, there's often brown. Let's start with 'B johannseni', a classy and refined... never mind, it's just 'Brown poo'. Yep, you read that right. Biology class just got a whole lot more interesting.
But let's move on from... undigested matters. Ever heard of 'Muddy Waters'? No, it's not a blues song (though it could be). It's another delightful shade of 'B johannseni'. The 18th century artists who named these colors clearly had a penchant for the... well, 'poetic'.
When Fruits Get Saucy: The Naughty Side of Produce
Fruits aren't immune to this whole 'dirty' naming debacle. Take 'Persimmon', for instance. Sounds innocent enough, right? Until you Google it and find out it's the color of... well, let's just say it's inspired by a certain human part.
And it doesn't stop at the persimmon. There's 'Peach' - yes, that's a color too. And no, it's not the sweet, fuzzy fruit you ate as a kid. It's a... rather provocative shade. Suddenly, that old peach cantaloupe doesn't seem quite so wholesome.
Blue: The Controversial Color
No discussion on 'dirty' colors would be complete without mentioning the great blue controversy. 'Blue-Balled' might be the most infamous of them all. It's... exactly what it sounds like. The fact that it's an actual, recognized color name is either hilarious or horrifying - depending on your sense of humor.
But don't worry, blue isn't always crass. There's 'Amethyst'. Sounds regal, doesn't it? Well, yes, it is a type of purple. But it's also... ahem... 'Bum-Freezer Blue'. Quite a contradiction, isn't it? You can't help but imagine Queen Elizabeth hopping around, uttering colorfully descriptive phrases, whenever she sits on that amethyst throne.
Green: The Color of Unwanted Surprises
Green gets in on the act too, with 'Snot Green'. Yep, you read that right. It's about as appetizing as it sounds. Though, if you've ever seen a Kawakawa tree, you might appreciate the unique... 'motivation' behind the name.
And then there's 'Army Green'. You'd think that'd be staunch, serious, camouflage-colored. Right? Well, it is. But it's also 'Lordship Green', named after the color of British... well, not their military uniforms. Let's just say they gave 'pecker' a whole new meaning.
So there you have it: a riotous, raunchy, and surprisingly revealing exploration of the 'dirty' side of color names. Next time you reach for that 'Skin' colored paint or add a 'Persimmon' accent to your living room, you'll know there's a whole world of humor - and a bit of controversy - hiding in plain sight. Now, who's ready to rename their favorite Crayola?