Blue


A set meal provided at a reduced price.

We were hungry but broke. The blue plate special was our only option.

USA, early 20th century.

USA.


Denim jeans worn with a denim shirt or jacket.

He only ever wears blue and usually it’s jeans and a shirt – the full double denim.

Britain, early 21st century.

Mostly Britain and Australia.


A rare occurrence.

West Bromwich Albion have won the cup. but only every once in a blue moon.

Britain, 19th century.

Worldwide.


Suddenly and unexpectedly.

We were sunbathing and then it just started to hail. It was literally out of the blue.

Britain, 19th century (as ‘a bolt from the blue’).

Worldwide.

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.