Petrel/Petrol

Posted by Gary Martin on January 08, 2010 at 12:26

In Reply to: Petrel/Petrol posted by Jackie on January 08, 2010 at 11:10:

: Referring to a shade of blue, I always believed the colour was called "Petrel Blue" and took its name from the sea bird. However, in a recent discussion most people believe it is "Petrol Blue" and took its name from fuel.
: Please can someone provide the correct spelling and origin of this phrase?

It's petrol. Petrels aren't blue, but them again, nor is any petrol that I've seen. Some types of paraffin are dyed blue and raw petroleum is sometimes blue. As to a definitive origin; I don't have one.