Why are they called red onions, when they are clearly purple?

Question

Just wondering.

Answer 1

In old days before dying cloth the way we do now that was the colour red. If you look at any tartan in Scotland you will see the old and the new Kilt on record, The old one is much lighter. My Grandfather was a Kerr Look up the Kilt you will see. Anymore you need to know email me.

Answer 2

Because the Purple Onion was a night club.

Answer 3

I've always called them purple onions and purple grapes, but there is also red wine, which is made from purple grapes. Maybe because purple is made from red and blue?

Answer 4

We do call them purple onions down here in the deep South.

Answer 5

They're called by both names...as ion THE PURPLE ONION niteclub, which is old and famous...some are red, some purplish...like Italian onions

Answer 6

Maybe they were purple at one time and through food color dyeing and evolution they became red. Its the same way with grapes. I hear people call them white grapes instead green grapes. Instead of purple grapes people will call them red grapes. Why?

Answer 7

We call them purple where I live. Yankees are always calling things the wrong name. :) Kidding


No but really we call them purple here.

Answer 8

Colors are perception. 2000 years ago, red may have been purplee and green may ave been blue. Color is like language in that comon perception can change over time.

Answer 9

yellow onions aren't exactly yellow either, their sorta tan

Answer 10

I've wondered that myself....ha ha ha - really!