Why is the blue book blue?
George Coleman, registrar: This goes back into at least the 19th century. So, you know about blue books? Well, I know that way back when I was in college there were blue books. What about the color? Oh, it’s an okay color. OoooKay. Stephanie Hicks ’03: I don’t like blue books. They just induce stress when you see a blue book coming. Ahhh! Sorry, flashback. Nancy Reinhardt, special collections librarian: Well, the earliest use of the term “blue book” (as cited by the OED) is 1633. This usage refers to official reports of Parliament that were issued in blue paper covers. The phrase “blue book” continued in use, in Great Britain and in the U.S., to the present day. Therefore, since exam books are issued in uniform format, it is not surprising that they were issued in blue-paper covers and called “blue books.” From the 17th century onwards blue was a typical color used by printers as a temporary binding for pamphlets. Why blue and not red? I”m not sure. Thanks. Reynolds Manufacturing Co.,
