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Friday 30 October 2015

Khaki

Khaki is a Hindustani word meaning "dust" that is used for a color, a light shade of yellow-brown.

Khaki has been used by many armies around the world for uniforms, including camouflage. They
were first used during the 1857-8 Indian Mutiny when an irregular corps of Guides raised at Meerut adopted the color to protect themselves against native snipers. The soldiers dyed their white drill with curry powder or the mud and dust (khak) and became appropriately known as "the Khaki (dust) Squadron."

The British Army subsequently adopted khaki for colonial campaign dress as it was good for camouflage and it was used in the Mahdist War (1884-1889) and Second Boer War (1899–1902).

After victory in Second Boer War the British government called an election, which became known as the khaki election. The term has subsequently been used for elections called to exploit public approval of governments immediately after victories.

The United States Army adopted khaki during the 1898 Spanish American War.

                                           
In Western fashion, khaki is a standard color for smart casual dress trousers for civilians, which are also often called khakis.

Source Europress Family Encyclopedia 1999

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