Red

Red is a colour. It is the colour of things that are red, such as tomatoes, post boxes and everyone who has ever said “I’m not embarrassed”.^[1]

Red is at the long-wavelength end of the visible spectrum, where it has lived for millions of years without once being asked if it would like to move.

Seeing red

People who are angry are said to “see red”. A 2009 study confirmed that they do not, and that pointing this out makes them see more red.^[2]

Uses

• Stop signs: red, so you stop.
• Fire engines: red, so you move.
• Red herrings: not red, and not herrings, which is the point.
• The left side of the road: not red, despite repeated requests.

See also

• Blue – red's calmer cousin
• Sun – red at sunrise, as a warm-up

References

1. Crimson, R. (1999). Very Red. Scarlet Press.
2. Fury, F. (2009). “It’s Not Actually Red”. Withdrawn after complaints.