yellow

yellow
   1. cowardly
   Probably from the pallor of fright. In many phrases, with a yellow belly being a coward, who might display a yellow streak or stripe:
    What we have here is a demonstration of what can only be referred to as a yellow stripe down the back of the Irish Government. {Daily Telegraph, 7 September 1995 — it had postponed a meeting with the British Prime Minister at the behest of terrorists)
   However, Shakespeare's yellow stockings were a sign of jealousy:
    Remember who commended thy yellow stockings. (Twelfth Night)
   2. American (especially of a prostitute)
   of mixed black and white ancestry
   Originally, describing a light-skinned female slave, often used as a house servant. Also as high-yellow:
    The yellow girls stood around giggling. (Longstreet, 1956, describing New Orleans, not Hong Kong)
    ... end up being shot in the saloon by a high-yellow girl, (ibid.)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • Yellow — Yel low (y[e^]l l[ o]), a. [Compar. {Yellower} (y[e^]l l[ o]*[ e]r); superl. {Yellowest}.] [OE. yelow, yelwe, [yogh]elow, [yogh]eoluw, from AS. geolu; akin to D. geel, OS. & OHG. gelo, G. gelb, Icel. gulr, Sw. gul, Dan. guul, L. helvus light bay …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Yellow — Yel low, n. 1. A bright golden color, reflecting more light than any other except white; the color of that part of the spectrum which is between the orange and green. A long motley coat guarded with yellow. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. A yellow… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • yellow — [yel′ō] adj. [ME yelwe < OE geolu, akin to Ger gelb < IE base * ĝhel , to gleam, yellow, green, blue > Gr cholos, gall, L helvus, tawny] 1. of the color of gold, butter, or ripe lemons 2. changed to a yellowish color as by age, as old… …   English World dictionary

  • yellow — ► ADJECTIVE 1) of the colour between green and orange in the spectrum, as of egg yolks or ripe lemons. 2) offensive having a yellowish or olive skin (as used to describe Chinese or Japanese people). 3) referring to a warning of danger which is… …   English terms dictionary

  • Yellow — Yel low, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Yellowed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Yellowing}.] To make yellow; to cause to have a yellow tinge or color; to dye yellow. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Yellow No. 5 — Yellow #5 is a California based rock band with a strong New Orleans vibe. The band features vocalist/bassist Molly McGuire and guitarist David Catching. The debut album, Demon Crossing , also features Brant Bjork on drums; their drummer for live… …   Wikipedia

  • Yellow — (engl. für die Farbe Gelb) steht für: Yellow (Manga), Mangaserie von Makoto Tateno Yellow, umgangssprachlich für den Buntbarsch Labidochromis caeruleus Siehe auch Yello, Schweizer Musik Band …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Yellow 2 — (Калофорте,Италия) Категория отеля: Адрес: 9014 Калофорте, Италия Описан …   Каталог отелей

  • Yellow 1 — (Калофорте,Италия) Категория отеля: Адрес: 9014 Калофорте, Италия Описан …   Каталог отелей

  • Yellow — Yel low, v. i. To become yellow or yellower. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • yellow — [adj1] cowardly chicken*, craven, deceitful, gutless, lily livered*, low, offensive, pusillanimous, sneaking, treacherous, tricky, unethical, unprincipled; concepts 267,401 Ant. bold, brave, confident yellow [n/adj2] sunny color amber, bisque,… …   New thesaurus

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