Earliest Usage:
* 1500s: The phrase appears in writing as early as the 1500s, often referring to things that were not vibrant or lively in color. This could refer to faded fabrics, pale skin, or even the lack of brightness in a painting.
Shifting Meaning:
* 1800s: The meaning starts to shift towards suggestiveness or indecency. This is likely due to the association of "color" with vulgarity and the "off" prefix implying a departure from the norm. Think of phrases like "blue" (depressed) or "green" (jealous).
* Late 1800s - Early 1900s: The phrase becomes more commonly associated with jokes, stories, or language that is considered inappropriate or offensive.
Modern Usage:
* Today: "Off-color" is most commonly used to describe humor or language that is considered vulgar, suggestive, or offensive. While the phrase has its roots in color itself, it's the shift in meaning that makes it relevant today.
Why "Off Color" Became Associated with Vulgarity:
* Shifting Societal Norms: As societal norms evolved, what was once considered acceptable humor became taboo.
* Double Meanings: The word "color" often had double meanings, with "colored" also referring to people of color and therefore being a sensitive term. This ambiguity likely contributed to the shift in meaning.
* Association with Humor: The phrase likely became linked to vulgar humor because it implies a deviation from the usual, a transgression of social boundaries.
Overall, the phrase "off color" is a fascinating example of how language evolves and adapts to changing social norms.