Color of Water - Color Names

Color Names

Various cultures divide the semantic field of colors differently from the English language usage and some do not distinguish between blue and green in the same way. An example is Welsh where glas can mean blue or green.

Other color names assigned to bodies of water are sea green and ultramarine blue. Unusual oceanic colorings have given rise to the terms red tide and black tide.

The Ancient Greek poet Homer uses the epithet "wine-dark sea"; in addition, he also describes the sea as "grey". Some have suggested that this is due to the Ancient Greeks classifying colors primarily by luminosity rather than hue.

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Famous quotes containing the words color and/or names:

    To face the garment of rebellion
    With some fine color that may please the eye
    Of fickle changelings and poor discontents.
    Which gape and rub the elbow at the news
    Of hurly-burly innovation.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    It is a sad truth, but we have lost the faculty of giving lovely names to things. Names are everything. I never quarrel with actions. My one quarrel is with words.... The man who could call a spade a spade should be compelled to use one. It is the only thing he is fit for.
    Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)