Turquoise is called turquoise because that's the natural colour of turquoise (pic) - it's chemical composition can be checked here. In Malay, turquoise (the colour) is called biru firus because turquoise (the gemstone) is called batu firus. Thank god such gemstone was already available here in those times. Otherwise and most likely it will be called terkois and can be easily confused or typoed as terkuis.
Vermillion is another chemical substance that gives vermillion (the colour) it's name. It is actually mercuric sulphide. Guess, what's it called in Malay? Merah menyala? No. It's merah merona. To be honest, that was the first time I heard it. I do not know what merona is. It's not explained anywhere in the dictionary. But googling it takes me to a host of Indonesian webpages, so I deduced that we just borrowed it whole from them. It then makes me wonder, could it be that that makes them Nengs prefer vermillion lips? Like this....
Vermillion lips are so sexy! |
Pink guava. |
Oh! Wait again. Here's a solution by ingenious lexicographers paid by some ingenious company.
It's sooo valid...!