Weird question but it'll make you think...maybe...?!


Question: Are oranges called oranges because they are the color orange, or is the color orange called orange because oranges are orange? I don't think there is really a real answer for this but I have been curious for a while. Any thoughts?


Answers: Are oranges called oranges because they are the color orange, or is the color orange called orange because oranges are orange? I don't think there is really a real answer for this but I have been curious for a while. Any thoughts?

Etymology of orange

Main article: Orange (word)

The color is named after the orange fruit, introduced to Europe via the Indo-European word nāranja. Before this was introduced to the English-speaking world, the color was referred to (in Old English) as geoluhread, which translates into Modern English as yellow-red.
Orange (web color)
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<b>The first recorded use of orange as a color name in English was in 1512,[2] in the court of King Henry VIII.

the color came after the fruit
Main article: Orange (word)
The colour is named after the orange fruit, introduced to Europe via the Indo-European word nāranja. Before this was introduced to the English-speaking world, the colour was referred to (in Old English) as geoluhread, which translates into Modern English as yellow-red.



The first recorded use of orange as a colour name in English was in 1512,[2] in the court of King Henry VIII.

I've wondered this too. I think the color orange had to originate before those who spoke the English language had sampled the citrus fruit. I would say the color was named before the fruit.

This has been asked and answered on here a zillion times and you can find the answer of wikipedia

They are both named for the Third Earl of Orange (1306-1397). The colorful fruit was presented to him following an expedition to the Cathay in China, outfitted by Orange, then part of the Westminster District, Wales. He enjoyed the fruit so much his subjects came to call it "The Fruit of Orange" or just orange.

Orange has other uses as a word also, there is the Dutch Order of Orange,
There is the Dutch house of orange (government division)

Hmm ... there is an answer of course. The color orange is named after the fruit, not the other way round. According to Wikipedia, orange fruit is named after the Sanskrit word, naranga which means orange tree. It would make sense to name the fruit after its tree but it wouldn't if the color is named after the tree. It is more common to name colors after an object that possesses the color rather than the other way round. For example, sky blue is inspired by the sky, lime green is inspired by limes.





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