Kids say the darndest things - funny

[BballRookie]

That's what I was told.. Maybe I'm wrong on this?

[SNIPERBBB]

Never heard that official school color thing, there isnt anything I have seen in the books about it.

Its just a lot easier to use single syllable words for calling out whose ball it is, addressing coaches and players and any belligerents you cant get away from after the game.

[MD Longhorn]

Nothing official or unofficial about it... and I'm sure the school's "official" colors are purple and something. My high school was maroon.

But I've noticed this as well. Officials (all sports I work) simply won't say purple. Or maroon or orange. It can't be the 2 syllables thing because I've said and heard yellow lots of times (although even there I know a couple that call that team Gold, even though it's plainly yellow.)

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by SNIPERBBB

Never heard that official school color thing, there isnt anything I have seen in the books about it.

Its just a lot easier to use single syllable words for calling out whose ball it is, addressing coaches and players and any belligerents you cant get away from after the game.

I was also taught to use 1 syllable.

But when it comes to orange, I don't know how many syllables are in that word!

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

But when it comes to orange, I don't know how many syllables are in that word!

LOL The dictionary says there are two, but some parts of the country make it one.

Conversely, in some parts of my state the number "four" has two syllables.

[Eastshire]

The reason we use one syllable for colors is a single syllable is easier to pronounce at volume. This makes it easier for all concerned to understand what's going on. Beyond that, many of us can't tell a red from a magenta from a maroon.

I am corrected not infrequently with a "It's purple, not blue." Sometimes it's the players, sometimes it's parents. I invariable respond that officials aren't smart enough to use two syllable words which gets a laugh and dismisses the issue.

It has nothing to do with the actual color of the jersey but with the accepted mechanic. I think it's abundantly clear that one-syllable colors is the accepted mechanic.