Kids say the darndest things - funny
 

6th grade AAU game. White team is getting crushed by blue(wearing purple jerseys), although their players, coaches, and fans had great attitudes, and did all game long. I think they were a B or C team of sorts, as each high school feeder has a few different teams.

At half time white is down by 30. Their players walk onto the court while blue is still in their huddle.

Me: you guys having fun so far?

White players: yeah

White Point Guard: Do you guys mean to say blue instead of purple?

Me: Yes, purple isn't an official high school color. That's why we say blue.
(brief pause)

White Point Guard: (in the most sincere, 6th grade way possible) Oh, we just thought you guys were color blind.

LOL

Purple isn't an official High School color? I say blue because it is one syllable.

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

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.

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.)

Really? Tell that to my son's team.

I know older officials that won't say "purple" or "orange." I don't see what the big deal is to spit out two syllables. Besides, it shows better respect for the team in question. Otherwise, you're just being lazy, IMO.

Chartreuse ???
 

One syllable colors in my little corner of Connecticut. Been that way for over thirty years. Rookies are taught this like it was a "rule".

As a rookie in my little corner of Kansas, I can assure that we are taught this as well. Seemed a little odd, but I have many other larger issues to work on.

Well, I'm not "older," so I must be "lazy." One syllable it is.

When I first started out, some of the senior officials did the "red" instead of "orange" and "blue" instead of "purple"..... I always thought it to be weird...... until I started living more and more in "Rome" and started doing it that way. Now, it's just normal for me too.

Okay, other than "that's just the way it's done," can anyone give a solid reason why people insist on one syllable?

That's how I was taught also. Guess I'm a lazy, poor official also.

Good story, rook! :D

Distinct and clear - no misunderstanding of what is said.

It's a lot easier to sell a close OOB call with distinction and clarity without confusion saying "red" rather than "magenta" or "maroon."