The new black

[MrZippy123]

Hi,

On a forum somebody suggested a particular hobby was 'the new black'. I am informed this has nothing to do with race, but what is the origin of this? It has been suggested that it relates to Henry Ford and the 'as long as its black' line, but I think this is being fanciful.

Any ideas?

[MickyMacgraw]

There's a lot of them like this "black is the new white"
"gay is the new straight"
Staying in is the new going out" etc...
It's basically saying that it's the "new popular thing" to do or be at the moment, usually a passing fad.

[joggerjayne]

After a while, whatever was originally in vogue comes around again.

Next year, for instance ... black is the new black.

[heathfield]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_new_black