| Share
 
Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—B

Blues

(The), applied to troops.

The Oxford Blues.
The Royal Horse Guards were so called in 1690, from the Earl of Oxford their commander and the blue facings. Wellington, in one of his despatches, writes:- “I have been appointed colonel of the Blues.”

“It was also known as the `Blue Guards' during the campaign in Flanders (1742-1745).” —Trimen: Regiments of the British Army.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Bluff
Blue and Yellow
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

More on Blues from Infoplease:

Related Content

24 X 7

Private Tutor

Click Here for Details
24 x 7 Tutor Availability
Unlimited Online Tutoring
1-on-1 Tutoring
Explore Precalculus Review , Free Algebra Help