[78-L] Blue

[David Lennick]

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Steven C. Barr wrote:
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "David Lennick" <dlennick at sympatico.ca>
>> "Blue" means off color. "Blue pencil" means censor. It also means edit. 
>> Which
>> context came first..anyone know?
>>
>> Not off topic..English comic Jack "Blue Pencil" Warner made 78s (I think 
>> he
>> even used the term on them, when referring to something he wasn't going to 
>> be
>> allowed to say).
>>
> Interesting! The original meaning of "blue" was "sad, despondent..." and 
> that
> goes back several centuries. Obviously "blue pencil" could refer to a 
> LITERAL
> blue pencil, used to cross out material in scripts deemed too risque for the
> public; OTOH "blue pencil" could refer to "blue" content being marked out?!
> 
As I say, both meanings have been used. I ran across "blue pencil" meaning 
"edit" not long ago..might have been in a crossword puzzle. And comedians 
tailoring their act for an adult audience (in a long forgotten time) would be 
said to "work blue". A radio station librarian might mark a disc or track 
"blue" as an explanation for keeping it off the air. Never mind that today you 
and I can hear bluer stuff from the car next to us while waiting at a red light.

> Has anyone asked David Diehl...he of the "Blue Pages?!"

Where ya think the name came from?

dl


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