pink

[Leanne79]

How did the pink, also known as the Carnation, derive its name?

[Clanad]

The species Dianthus covers several different varietals, including "Pinks" and "Carnations", but they are not the same plants, only related. The name derivation, however, is explained here:

The evolution of the word "pink" is interesting in its own right. Plants of Colonial Days (1959) states that pinks derived their name from pinksten or pfingsten, the German name for flowers that bloomed at Pentecost, or Whitsuntide. Other sources say that the word pink comes from the "pinked" or jagged edge of the petals, as though cut by pinking shears. In either case, it appears the idea of "pink" as a color did not occur until much later, for the color was named for the flowers rather than the other way around. In the eighteenth century, flowers were described as blush, pale red, rose, light red, flesh-colored, or carnation -- never pink.

(Source: Twinleaf Journal)

[netibiza]

yes carne is Spanish for meat and the carnation was named after red meat.