#fulvous

Welcome to this the sixth entry in Cool Colours. Yellow is wonderful and represents rather a unique case in this series' exploration. To look at the word at first glance, you would be forgiven for thinking that our word yellow has no links to Latin whatsoever. You would be both right and wrong, however. There is a link and a rather neat and unusual one. The word yellow is more closely connected to German 'gelb'. But it doesn't look like that either, you say. So, here is a brief glimpse at this lovely colour name's history. It stems primarily from the early German word 'gelwaz', to which the Italian 'giallo' is also related. Both stem ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European (henceforth PIE) word 'ghel-' which meant 'to shine'. Now PIE, is now widely believed to have been an early, now extinct language, from which most European languages and Sanskrit were all born. Now, here comes the Latin link. Latin is also descended from PIE and its word for pale yellow, helvus, comes from the same parent stem as German 'gelb'. So, it is linked to the word, it is just a relative that evolved slightly differently. Also, if you read the Latin helvus, pronouncing the 'v' as a 'w' (as many argue it should be) the connection with our 'yellow' becomes clearer.

Our trip through the colour yellow does not stop there. I have three further Classical terms for yellow for you that bequeathed us words in English. Let us start with Latin.

Have you ever read that you should get more of the vitamin Riboflavin (B2) in your diet? Well, the 'flavin' part of the word comes from the Latin flavus, meaning 'yellow', often a golden or reddish shade of yellow. 'What's a vitamin got to do with 'yellow'?' ,you ask. Well, the flavins are a group of organic compounds, from which Riboflavin is derived, and their colour is, you've got it, YELLOW. They are very important to life. So green might be life, but it appears yellow is, too.

Could your hair be described as 'fulvous'? No, it does not mean it is voluminous (full-vous, get it? Never mind). Again, this rather old-fashioned and probably forgotten word comes from another Latin word for 'yellow', this time fulvus, which denotes a brownish, tawny yellow. It was often used to describe lions.

Lastly, can I ask you if your daffodils betray a xanthic hue? So, we head over to the ancient Greeks for our penultimate yellow word of today. The Greek word ξανθος (xanthos) could denote hair that was blonde or even auburn, so again it can denote a reddish gold.

Crocus is our final shade today. Now, we see crocuses that are pink, blue, and yellow, but Greek word (κροκος) originally referred to the saffron plant, which yields a famous rich yellow colouring. There is even rather a sweet instance of it being used in a Greek text to describe the colour of egg-yolks.

Welcome anon! 💜

Fulvous: Another name you think would suit you?

Actually I think Serenity suits me pretty well. But I've always had a connection with Rainy so maybe that one? I'm always dancing in the rain and at night I sleep better and more deeply when it's raining. 🌧️💧💧🌧️

Coconut: A subject you enjoy learning about?

Hmm, anything concerning Asian culture definitely! It started as a kid watching animes, seeing Japanese and Chinese culture. I've always been in love with the look of their culture and how they take care of their homes and surroundings. But I also enjoy reading up on astrology and I'm currently trying to find time to learn Spanish!

I think as a kid my favorite subject in school was English. It was a subject I did well in and if it weren't for my math, I could've skipped a couple grades.

Amethyst: Do you collect anything?

I'm not sure 🤔 I think I've got a marble collection somewhere from when I'd collect them as a kid. I also like collecting pencils (ones with pretty designs) and I have an unbelievable amount of big shaped erasers. Just this Easter I got some new ones that I find adorable 🥺

Btw here's the text if you can't see it well:

Safron: "why is penta spinning?" (There is no yellow so safron isn't colored lol)

Fulvous: "wut?"

Penta: *spins*

Filled with or motivated by fulv; fervent.

Filled with, or characterized by, fulv; warmly engaged, or ardent, in behalf of an object.

Filled with religious fulv.

Full of fulv; ardent, fervent; exhibiting enthusiasm or strong passion.