local color

noun

1. distinctive, sometimes picturesque characteristics or peculiarities of a place or period as represented in literature or drama, or as observed in reality.
2. Fine Arts. the natural color of a particular object as it appears in normal light.

Word History and Origins

Origin of local color¹

First recorded in 1715–25

Example Sentences

Paul Psychiatrists per capita: 44 Stress: 51 Eccentricity: 15 Drinking: 30 (tie) Local Color: At the Minneapolis-St.

From The Daily Beast

The latter came to rough it in local color, the former to dream of a better world.

From Project Gutenberg

It was Harwood's habit to spend a day in the towns he visited, gathering local color and collecting anecdotal matter.

From Project Gutenberg

Full of local color and rich in quaint phraseology and suggestion.

From Project Gutenberg

A third paper may speak of an interesting theme which may be called the local color of songs.

From Project Gutenberg

As to style, no one cared for that, not even the author; as to ideas—zero; as to local color—non est.

From Project Gutenberg