Oops. My bad.

Posted by Bob on November 23, 2005

In Reply to: Pitch Black posted by Brian from Shawnee on November 23, 2005

: : Where did the phrase "Pitch Black" come from?

: Hi Brian, small world.
: The saying "pitch black" comes from a substance called pitch, that is black. There are other phrases like it:
: Snow White
: Rose Red
: Sky Blue
: Pitch Black

: Here's the definition of "pitch" in this sense, from m-w.com:
: Main Entry: 1pitch
: Pronunciation: 'pich
: Function: noun
: Etymology: Middle English pich, from Old English pic, from Latin pic-, pix; akin to Greek pissa pitch, Old Church Slavonic picilu
: 1 : a black or dark viscous substance obtained as a residue in the distillation of organic materials and especially tars
: 2 : any of various bituminous substances
: 3 : resin obtained from various conifers and often used medicinally
: 4 : any of various artificial mixtures resembling resinous or bituminous pitches

: P.S. Please bill yourself as "Brian from Atlanta" or something in the future, to avoid confusion.

I believe the "from Shawnee" confusion is my fault. When posting Brian's question, my browser's "auto fill" feature/hindrance/defect tried to be helpful and added the modifier. It happened so quickly I didn't notice, et voila! I have spoken harshly to the software, and turned off the auto fill. Sorry.

• Oops. My bad. Brian from Shawnee 23/November/05
• Oops. My bad. Smokey Stover 23/November/05