Pinks and Pink

I've just found one of those little nuggets of information that delight and educate in equal measure.

The word 'pink' - as in signifying the colour - was not introduced into the English language until the late 18th century.

In older times 'pink' was always described as 'flesh' or 'blush' or 'carnation.'


Carnation'd like a sleeping infant's cheek
Lord Byron

So when you see the words 'pink' 'pynke' 'pincke' used before the 18th century, it refers to the flower known variously as Carnation, Soppes-in-Wine, Pink, Gillyflower, Gillover. And not the colour PINK

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Bring hither the pincke and purple cullambine,

With Gilleflowres;

Bring Coronations and Sops-in-Wine,

Worn of paramours.

Spenser

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Another Update - 17th Century Textile Colours - And Red Hair

"JUDAS COLOUR- Silver."

In a previous post I played a game...trying to give colours to 17th century textile names.

To me - in my absolute black and white mode - Judas colour represented silver. 30 pieces, I believe. Too obvious on the first pass.

BUT -I'm now reading Catherine Delors' Mistress of the Revolution - where Gabrielle has red hair like - JUDAS.

Mmmmn!
(BTW, that's the sound I make with my lips tightly closed and my eyebrows raised in wonder)

So, I've changed my mind about this 17th C colour. I see copper. A pinkish orange.

Another BTW - I'm very interested in our genetic make-up.

My father is a Scot with Irish colouring (black hair, grey eyes.)

My mother was from Norfolk - Iceni country. Boudicca had red hair!

My hair is as dark as you can get without being black. It has red highlights.

Never wanted to be blond - wouldn't mind being red. :o)

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17th Century Textile Colours

One of my first ever research projects was on 17th century costume.
I got a beautiful old, old costume book from the library and much to my disgust - I can't remember the name of it.

Anyway - from that book I made a note of the names used for textile colours in that era.
They are so evocative and always set the imagination running.

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PANSY FLOWERING; RAYFLAX BLUE; SUMMER BLUE; ROYAL BLUE; TURQUOISE; WATER COLOUR; PALE BLUE; BEAN BLUE; PASTEL;
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DAWN; CORAL; PEACH BLOSSOM; PALE YELLOW; GOLDEN YELLOW; CANARY; SULPHUR
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WILLOW GREEN; BUDDING GREEN; BRIGHT GREEN; BOTTLE GREEN; SEA GREEN; VERDIGRIS; GOSLING GREEN;

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GREY; DOVE; ARGENT; PEARL GREY; SLATE, PIGEON; SILVER GREY; CRYSTALLINE;

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REDDISH PURPLE;BRIGHT RED; AMARANTH; CARNATION; RUSSETT; SCARLET; OX BLOOD; ORANGE; NONAIN - ROSY WHITE;

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And colours to try and get our minds around.

I'll have a go...

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I love the idea of SICK SPANIARD - a yellowy olive.

JUDAS COLOUR- Silver.

TEMPS PERDU- I see this as a pale violet.

ANGRY MONKEY- Is red brown too obvious?

APE'S LAUGH- Again, a reddy colour. But only if they were always being pedantic

RESURRECTION - Oh Gawd! A blue-grey????

KISS ME DARLING - Pale pink, maybe.

TRISTAMI - Sorry, can only think of pepparami here. Oops.

MORAL SIN - Love this. A deep, vibrant, singing red.

SCRATCH FACE - Purpley (if there's such a word)

SMOKED OX HAM COLOUR - Pinky, purpley (if it's not a word, it should be!)

LOVE LONGINGS - Help!

CHIMNEY SWEEP - Too obvious????

FADING FLOWER - Mmmn. Pastel. Maybe like ashes of roses.

DYING MONKEY - Black, brown....ish

MERRY WIDOW - Deep Purple - nearly black but not quite.

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I'd love to hear about your ideas :o)