Did not intend to argue about the history of the word "fair." I just copied the complete defintition from the dictionary closest to my computer. Common usage was my only point. And it is common in English-language poetry, fairy tales, etc., to couple the adjective fair with black hair for example:
Folk song: There dwelled a maiden fair. Her cheeks were red, her eyes were blue ..... Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.
Traditional nursery rhyme: Where are you going My pretty maiden fair, With your red rosy cheeks, And your coal black hair ...
Or to use it to describe objects of beauty, that have nothing to do with being blond.
Traditional hymn: Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight, And all the twinkling starry host;
Was not debating Celegorm's hair color. My knickers were not in a twist.
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rosecarmine
(no subject)
Date: 2009-04-21 09:46 pm (UTC)Folk song:
There dwelled a maiden fair.
Her cheeks were red, her eyes were blue .....
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.
Traditional nursery rhyme:
Where are you going
My pretty maiden fair,
With your red rosy cheeks,
And your coal black hair ...
Or to use it to describe objects of beauty, that have nothing to do with being blond.
Traditional hymn:
Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Was not debating Celegorm's hair color. My knickers were not in a twist.