Black sheep is a derogatorycolloquialism in the English language meaning an outsider or one who is different in a way which others disapprove of. This can be someone who has been shunned by others, or one who has chosen to be an outsider, due to actions and aims that separate them from the rest of the people or "flock". A typical example might be a family member who has chosen to follow a religion other than that of the rest of their family. Look up pejorative in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A colloquialism is an expression not used in formal speech or writing. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Shunning is the act of deliberately avoiding association with, and habitually keeping away from an individual or group. ...
The term originated from the fact that the occasional black sheep will be born into a herd of white sheep. Black sheep were considered undesirable because their wool cannot be dyed. White is the preferred colour for wool as it is most easily dyed and thus easier to market. Species See text. ... Wool in a shearing shed Long and short hair wool at the South Central Family Farm Research Center in Boonesville, AR Wool sheep, Royal Melbourne Show Wool is the fibre derived from the hair of animals of the Caprinae family, principally sheep and goats, but the hair of other mammals...
The phrase Pink Sheep has much the same meaning, specifying a homosexual, normally male, and is normally used by either himself or someone within his family; it is not considered as insulting a term as Black Sheep. Since its coinage, the word homosexuality has acquired multiple meanings. ...
The phrase White Sheep can be used to refer to someone who is the outcast of a group of criminals i.e., one who is law abiding.
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