Playing the Blues

A certain retailer became famous for its blue light specials. The announcer would say, "Attention Shoppers." (You may fill in the name of the store.) While the blue light was on, the item could be purchased at a reduced price. I'm not sure why they chose blue for their light, but I'm sure there was a reason. I thought it might be interesting to look at the many uses of the word "blue" in the English language.

Nature has its own displays of "blue." There are the famous "Blue Bells of Scotland." Then there is "Kentucky Blue Grass." We have blue skies, blue seas, and blue gem stones.

Speaking of "Blue Grass," Bill Monroe developed a whole new music genre called "Blue Grass Music." His theme song was entitled, "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Now that raises another question: What is a "Blue Moon?" A blue moon is defined as the second full moon within a calendar month. This phenomenon occurs every so often. Some people believe that a blue moon brings one luck.

Another music genre that is strictly American is called just, "The Blues." The blues comes out of the African American tradition, and probably began in the music of New Orleans. Over the years there have been many great "blues" musicians. Billy Holiday and B. B. King come to mind. It is a rather sad and soulful sound, and is often associated with trying times and events in the singer's life. Some say that only one who has experienced pain can truly sing the blues.

Speaking of song and poetry, the word "blue" is used to describe varied feelings. Of course, the first one that comes to mind is sadness. One of the great hits is entitled, "Mood Indigo." I guess that's about as blue as one can get. However, you might recall the song, "Blue Skies, smiling on me. Nothing but blue skies can I see." In this case, blue is a happy color. Of course the blue skies mean that the sun is shining again. That is always a happy occasion.

One of the strangest uses of the word "blue" is its use in describing off-color humor or stories. I have no idea what the origin of that usage is. The city of Boston was often one of the first to ban a production that was on the blue side. Many years ago, there was a movie entitled, "The Moon is Blue." (There's that blue moon again.) There was a line in the movie that referred to someone being a virgin. Because of that, the movie was banned in Boston. Today, no one would describe that as "blue."

Perhaps I'll put on my blue suit and blue suede shoes this evening, go dine with the blue bloods, and order the blue plate special. I leave it to the reader to think of other uses of the word, "blue."

- The Old Professor