British bias in the OED :-)

[Joel S. Berson]

Under "blue, n." one finds:

9. Light blue and dark blue have become the distinctive colours of
the representatives both of Eton and Harrow Schools, and of Cambridge
and Oxford Universities, in their rival athletic contests. So the
'Dark Blues' denote Oxford men or Harrow boys; 'to win his blue', or
'to be a Blue', is to be chosen to represent his University or School
in rowing, cricket, etc.; 'an old Blue' is one who has rowed or
played in an inter-University contest.

I am offended, as I'm sure Larry and Fred will be, by the omission of
any reference to old and prestigious American universities, both
founded in the early 18th century -- Yale Blue (a "dark azure") and
Columbia Blue ("a light blue tertiary color").

Joel

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