A Chip Off The Old Block

[Adam]

Worked a middle school boys game today at my daughter's school. She normally doesn't go to my games (about one per season), but since this was in her school, she stuck around for most of it before disappearing to the band room. Some of her friends asked her why my partner and I kept saying "blue" instead of "purple."

She told them it was because blue was easier to say, and that it was one syllable. I just asked her if she had heard me say that before.

"Is that really the reason?"

Just like her Dad. Talking out of her a$$ and getting it right at the same time.

[bainsey]

A few years ago, there was an instruction from above that it has become increasingly acceptable to say two syllables when announcing colors. The older officials in the room cringed.

If I can, I say "purple" instead of "blue." It's not that hard to spit out two syllables, and besides, purple is NOT blue (says the guy whose tax dollars goes to a purple-wearing school). If I have a partner than insists on one syllable, I'll conform for the sake of the team, but otherwise, I'd rather be accurate.

Last year, I had a partner in my age bracket who insisted on "blue" instead of "purple." Strangely enough, it was the HOME (white) team that asked me why we were saying "blue." I'd had to resist the urge of replying, "ask my partner."

Originally Posted by bainsey

Last year, I had a partner in my age bracket who insisted on "blue" instead of "purple." Strangely enough, it was the HOME (white) team that asked me why we were saying "blue." I'd had to resist the urge of replying, "ask my partner."

I said "burgandy" once this year. If two, why not three??

[rekent]

Originally Posted by bainsey

The older officials in the room cringed.

A young official just did too.

Originally Posted by seanwestref

I said "burgandy" once this year. If two, why not three??

And again, although cringe might be an understatement...

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by seanwestref

I said "burgandy" once this year. If two, why not three??

We had a team in an independent league many years ago which wore this color. One official said burgundy, while another said maroon. I still said "red."

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by seanwestref

I said "burgandy" once this year. If two, why not three??

We're discussing basketball, not what you order at the bar.

[icallfouls]

I don't see referees being asked to confirm school colors to make sure that we are correctly identifying each team.

I'm not giving the ball to "caribean green"

[Raymond]

Because of my color-blindness I will often confirm with my partner(s) what colors we are calling the teams. Never once in my 12 seasons of officiating has a single person ever called a team by a 2-syllable color.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by icallfouls

I don't see referees being asked to confirm school colors to make sure that we are correctly identifying each team.

I'm not giving the ball to "caribean green"

This. If their feelings get hurt when I say "blue" instead of "purple," they have problems beyond my pay grade.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by icallfouls

I'm not giving the ball to "caribean green"

What's Billy Ocean got to do with this?

Anyway, I go with "Gold" instead of "Yellow." One syllable is fine, provided there is some accuracy.

Scarlet? Maroon? Nuh-uh, "RED." I don't understand any hang-ups with "brown" or "pink," though no-one around here wears those colors.

The one that throws me off is that deeply dark navy blue. Can't tell whether that's blue or black sometimes.

[OKREF]

Originally Posted by bainsey

.

If I can, I say "purple" instead of "blue." It's not that hard to spit out two syllables, and besides, purple is NOT blue (says the guy whose tax dollars goes to a purple-wearing school).

Purple is a shade of Blue however

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by OKREF

Purple is a shade of Blue however

Not if Roy G. Biv is your partner.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by bainsey

A few years ago, there was an instruction from above that it has become increasingly acceptable to say two syllables when announcing colors. The older officials in the room cringed.

If I can, I say "purple" instead of "blue." It's not that hard to spit out two syllables, and besides, purple is NOT blue (says the guy whose tax dollars goes to a purple-wearing school). If I have a partner than insists on one syllable, I'll conform for the sake of the team, but otherwise, I'd rather be accurate.

Last year, I had a partner in my age bracket who insisted on "blue" instead of "purple." Strangely enough, it was the HOME (white) team that asked me why we were saying "blue." I'd had to resist the urge of replying, "ask my partner."

Was it my alma mater? Purple & Gold are the school colors.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

Was it my alma mater? Purple & Gold are the school colors.

Not the Dragons. Panthers, no gold. (You'll figure it out.)

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Adam

Just like her Dad. Talking out of her a$$ and getting it right at the same time.

Well the first part is right. Not sure about the second part.