I think Cecil is a little too dismissive of the Ainu report. Back in my own days as an anthropology student several decades ago, I distinctly recall the Ainu described as having a bluish cast from their intricate tattoos.
Thanks for the interesting factoid articles. I just want to say that for one thing the Ainu people are definitely depicted as blue skinned in ancient Japanese paintings.
Like that one.
Also, if you are sad and describe yourself as “feeling blue,” you are using a phrase coined from a custom among many old deepwater sailing ships. If the ship lost the captain or any of the officers during its voyage, she would fly blue flags and have a blue band painted along her entire hull when returning to home port.
PS - I find that Cecil is often a bit rude in his condescension towards people who write in, Ill never write him, thats for sure… I hope I dont get called a stupid head for writing this post…
Cite?
It’s yet another theory from Evan Morris’ CANOE - the Committee to Assign a Naval Origin to Everything. Famous from such debacles as the Brass Monkey, Jump the Gun, Three Sheets in the Wind, The Whole Nine Yards and so many, many more.
Not mentioned, argyria which can turn people bluish-grey. Not a race of people, but if someone can mention the Picts, I’m allowed to throw this one out.
Also, there was that girl in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” who turned into a blueberry.
And the Smurfs. How come nobody’s mentioned the Smurfs?
And also, there’s the Smurfs.
I don’t think the person looks so much blue but rather just really white.
And, of course, Blue Man Group. There are about 60 to 100 performers in Blue Man Group (they have shows all around the world, and multiple shows per day). I think that’s more than the number of Smurfs in the cartoons.
Um, I think the issue is real people who really are blue-tinted.
Nitrates in drinking water can cause methemoglobinemia, particularly in infants.
The number of Smurfs was originally 99, but then you add Baby Smurf, Grandpa Smurf, Smurfette, and Sassy and the total is 103.
Powers &8^]
Smurfette wasn’t one of the original 99 smurves?
I’m not buying that. According to Wikipedia, they all look alike. I have a feeling that many play multiple rolls just to double dip into that royalty pot they must get for all of the endorsement deals, etc…
But, I guess you could make the same claim with Blue Man Group too.
That’s correct. Smurfette was a creation of Gargamel.
Powers &8^]