Popular vs. Famous

[vasea1977]

Hi,
We can say "a popular book". I think we can say "a famous book". We can also say "a famous person" and "a popular person". But why can't we say "a famous colour"?
Thank you.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Hi,
We can say "a popular book". I think we can say "a famous book". We can also say "a famous person" and "a popular person". But why can't we say "a famous colour"?
Thank you.

As you probably know, these two words have different meanings. A person can be popular without being famous. The reverse is also true. A color can be popular (based on numbers of units of that color that are sold). However, it is difficult to imagine how a color could become famous.

 

[Tdol]

How about something like Bentley cars' racing green?

 

[Nicklexoxo]

How about something like Bentley cars' racing green?

I would not call it "famous colour".

I think "famous colour" sounds strange in all languages. Also, as MikeNY has said: these tow words have different meanings.

Nickle is not a teacher nor a native speaker. Be aware.

 

[Esredux]

I would not call it "famous colour".

I think "famous colour" sounds strange in all languages. Also, as MikeNY has said: these tow words have different meanings.

Nickle is not a teacher nor a native speaker. Be aware.

Apart from core rules, any language has common practice with certain logic behind it. The former type of rules cannot be violated
without a communication breakdown whereas the latter could be relaxed for specific effect (humorous, etc.). The 'popular v. famous' issue seems to be of the second type, that is a 'famous colour' might not necessarily be wrong and could add something else to the initial meaning (humour, irony, sarcasm, etc.). As always, context is absolutely crucial.

Be warned - this is a subjective view, don't go and bend the rules of the English language. ;-)