Red Is The Colour
Ever wondered why fire engines are red? It is a question I had often asked when I was a child. The best I could ever get was that flames are red, but they’re not. But now, after all these years I have finally worked it out.
Traditionally a fire engine was manned by six fire fighters and six is a half dozen. Eggs are sold by the half dozen and are laid by hens after being fertilized by a rooster.
Roosters are also found on top of church steeples and church steeples are tall structures, almost like a ship’s mast. Ships sail on the sea and there are plenty of fish in the sea, or so I have been told many a time. Most fish (if not all) have fins.
The Fins made war against the Russians and the Russians were known as Reds. So that is why fire engines are red.
Simple as that. I cannot understand why it took me so long.
Have a great day out there.
Comments (100)
For me (and many others I suppose) the colour red means fire, blood, passion etc.
Maybe this is one of the reasons why women dream about firemen to rescue them and give them a "fireman's lift"...
But, how can anyone feel any danger when they are being rescued by a nice strong passionate fireman?
I once heard a story about a spinster who fell pregnant and did not understand how. When the doctor explained it all, she cursed and said that the fireman told her it was artificial respiration being applied!
But a fire seldom burns red. It burns orange, yellow, white... oh many colours. Sometimes even blue. Why single out red as the colour for a fire.
Ah, my car is red. Does that make me dangerous? Mind you, the way I have been driving lately...
thank you for the useless piece of information
Useless information is my forte. But as I always say: No need to thank me for this valuable piece of useless info. I do it in the interest of a better informed community.
How's the weather up there in Bobbejaan's Berg?
It is so funny, when I try to write a funny blog everybody takes it serious and when I write a serious (and well researched) blog like this one, everybody thinks it is a joke.
Have a great day.
Hmm, we're having some very unpleasant weather out here. And yes, may the best team win tomorrow... As long as it is Province.
donno why but you reminded me detective Colombo, just wondering if someone watched it, or its just me
love it!
I was born in Natal (Empangeni) and I share very much the same sentiment as you. Until they play Province.
I have not seen you for ages.
Colombo!!! I'm going sue for damages! As soon as my lawyer gets out of jail!
Colombo will probably also sue.
Yes, I remember it showing on TV, but I did not really watch it.
how are you?
sorry cat, don't mean to hi-jack your blog
Yes, makes perfectly sense. To think we taught the British here in South Africa that red is not a good colour when going to war!
Chocheta,
Choc, you're always welcome here.
just wanted to say hello -how are you today ?
Red .....for danger
and for passion
I love red ! I just bought a new red dress a few weeks ago ...
nowhere to wear it to yet
Hope all is well with you Cat
I could bore you with my explanation about why ambulances are white, but I will spare you the detail.
You got me rattled. I'm getting quotes for a spray job, but I'm still undecided about the colour. I thought of yellow, but our police vehicles are yellow. I may just get shot at before the 3rd Anglo-Boer war starts.
Oh, I'm really chaffed with Firefox. It works great.
I'm doing great thank you. Summer has arrived with a bang, everything is alive and beautiful. I'm on a natural high!
ps: cat never fails to put a smile on my face
Thank you, I'm fine and all is quiet on the western front. Hmm, I like red too, but I just learned that it may be a dangerous colour. Maybe I must settle for pink, but then I may be mistaken for a Blue Bull supporter and I will never survive such humiliation.
Ah, I always had an inquiring mind and I always look for logical answers to my questions.
Welcome to my circle of sinners.
my first car 25 years ago was a red Vauxhall Belmont Merit X
with a red spoiler ! beautiful car , I loved it
oh nooo , don't go for pink
that would be an even worse humiliation
So did you decide on the birthday gift for dad yet ?
I am really glad to know you are keeping well Cat
The alternative explanation to why green goddess's were painted that colour would go along the lines of - Hey Fred we got these fire engines to paint red, what colours we got in the paint store? Well we got camouflage grey, camouflage brown, camouflage green. Ok Fred pour it all into one pot. Result -
Summer may have arrived there within the old Transvaal, but here in the colony it is still cold and unpleasant. We had two good days so far.
Is that why brides wear white. Hell, now I've work it out why the bridegroom dresses in black!
Yes, somebody suggested a digital photo frame and I have more or less settled on that, though I'm still open for other suggestions.