In the pink

Ever wonder about the origin of the word “pink,” or its association with that particular hue? Neither had I, until this article.

In the 17th century, “pink” meant yellow – or green or brown. In fact, pink did not necessarily describe a particular hue. In those days, pink referred to the way a certain kind of dye, made from a yellow pigment, was fixed to fabric. Old writers mentioned “yellow pink,” “green pink,” and even “brown pink.” But none of these hues were what we’d call “pink pink.”

I love words.