Literary notes about dull olive (AI summary)
In literature, the color “dull olive” is frequently employed as a versatile descriptor that evokes a muted, earthy quality found in both nature and human detailing. Authors often use variations like “dull olive-green” or “dull olive-brown” to describe the plumage of birds or the subtle tones of eggs and larvae, lending a sense of natural realism and specificity to their portrayals ([1], [2], [3], [4]). At the same time, the color appears in descriptions of garments and even skin, where its unassuming, slightly understated character helps to underscore themes of simplicity or quiet introspection—for instance, in references to a dull olive jacket or coat ([5], [6], [7]). This recurring use of “dull olive” demonstrates its effectiveness in grounding visual imagery in the natural, often subdued palettes of the world around us.
- Above dull olive-green, beneath ashy, whitish on the abdomen and crissum; no black.
— from A History of North American Birds; Land Birds; Vol. 2 of 3 by Robert Ridgway - The plumage above is dull olive green, with a broad band of very pale yellow across the rump.
— from Zoological Illustrations, Volume 2 or, Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting Animals by William Swainson - The Water Moccasin is dull olive with wide black transverse bands.
— from Scouting For Girls, Official Handbook of the Girl Scouts by Girl Scouts of the United States of America - The eggs are two or three in number, of a dull olive-brown, blotched with dusky, the size of a small hen’s.
— from The Field Book: or, Sports and pastimes of the United Kingdom compiled from the best authorities, ancient and modern by W. H. (William Hamilton) Maxwell - Lou looked at the plain, dull olive jacket of her friend.
— from The Trimmed Lamp, and other Stories of the Four Million by O. Henry - He wears a dull olive coat and a white vest.
— from Birds Every Child Should Know by Neltje Blanchan - He wore a light grey suit and a new straw hat with a dull olive green ribbon on it, poor dear.
— from The Divine Fire by May Sinclair
