More color confusion

[Jonathan Lighter]

My wife says the color "topaz" is a dark yellow, and OED shows she's right.  The color name has been in use for at least a century.

  However, when she recently ordered a fashion item in "topaz" from a well-known catalogue, the item was a light blue, very close to turquoise.  But "turquoise" was an alternative color choice in that very same catalogue!

  Customer relations patiently explained that "topaz" really is light blue but no green as turquoise.  Proof?  The manufacturer has indeed designated the light-blue color as "topaz."
  And the OED definition, which was read to them, counts for nada. So: credit but no free return shipping.

  As a guy, I don't know "topaz."  It's a kinda rock, isn't it?  Could be any color. Probably gray.

  JL

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