[Ads-l] Antedating of "Low Key" (Adjective, Figurative)

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

Here is a match for "low key clothes". It refers to the color and
design of clothes. It seems to mean muted and modest, which fits the
desired sense. However, it might refer to the color palette which is
another sense.

Date: January 9, 1914
Newspaper: The Tribune-Republican
Newspaper Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania
Article: LOW KEY CLOTHES TO BE WORN NEXT FALL
Quote Page 1, Column 4
Database: Newspapers.com
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune-clothes/207109861/

[Begin excerpt]
LOW KEY CLOTHES TO BE WORN NEXT FALL
BALTIMORE, Md., Jan. 8.
Men's outer clothing next fall, excepting overcoats, will be of light
weight textures and tight-fitting, and clothes will be modest and in
color and design what art critics call low key. This was the decision
reached today by the delegates to the convention of the National
Association of Clothing Designers.
[End excerpt]

Garson

On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 7:55 AM Shapiro, Fred
<00001ac016895344-dmarc-request at listserv.uga.edu> wrote:
>
> low key (OED, adjective, 2., 1941)
>
> 1936 Springfield (Mass.) Daily Republican 8 June 5/4 (Newspapers.com)
>
> "The Welder," a low key action picture ... won recognition at the Mardi Gras salon at New Orleans and the Boston international salon.
>
> Fred Shapiro
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org