I'm in the pink

[pingk] Show IPA

noun, adjective, -er, -est.

–noun

1. a color varying from light crimson to pale reddish purple.

2. any of several plants of the genus Dianthus, as the clove pink or carnation. Compare pink family.

3. the flower of such a plant; carnation.

4. the highest form or degree; prime: a runner in the pink of condition.

5. ( often initial capital letter ) Also, pinko. Slang: Disparaging . a person with left-wing, but not extreme, political opinions.



–adjective
9. of the color pink: pink marble.

10. Slang: Disparaging . holding, or regarded as holding, mildly leftist views, esp. in politics.

—Idiom
11. tickled pink. tickle ( def. 10 ) .

Sitting at one of the row of computers in a room with absolutely no insulation, a girl walks in wearing a light pink hoodie, carrying a hot pink gym bag across her arm and reeling a deep pink suitcase.

In my combination of beige, royal brown, navy blue and claret, I look upon her path with a certain distaste; just excessively girly or massive fashion faux pas. She probably has a large placard with her at all times stating, 'Look at me, I am very feminine! <3'

Different shades of pink - between red and magenta

As David McCandless' Colour Chart shows, colours are attached different meanings in various cultures, but that curious mixture of white and red is an interesting phenomenon. It seems pink was first assigned gender-specifically in the early 20th century, but pink - as analogous to red - being a masculine colour. But since then, of course, it has evolved in a myriad of different spheres - most notably in ascribing femininity.

But a quick flick through Wikipedia and dictionary.com shows it has been used for the Financial Times, breast cancer campaigns, LGBT (alternative sexuality) issues, sensuality, 'mild' political leftism, and even a name of a popstar.

In these modern times where the discussion concerning gender becomes more translucent and lucid, the colour pink has been reclaimed by a masculinity trying to redefine itself. Comfortable with their 'softer' side, it is not unusual to see businessmen in pink shirts buried under a wrap of salmon pink which is the FT. So far I have not been inclined to wear a shirt blessed with a pink tinge of some sort; it is far too multifaceted in its meaning/and 'a little poststructualist' for my liking!

* I have been implicitly criticised for not going deep enough into issues of gender. In English culture, how is wearing pink for men more socially acceptable than it used to be - confidence yet sensitivity is one answer, another is the 'preppy' Ivy League look. In the absence of further research demanded by anthropoligists, here is a link to another essay on masculinity in the 21st century.