How did the "blue plate special" get it's name?

Question

How did the "blue plate special" get it's name?

Answer 1

I thought it was because it was cheap and the blue collar workers could afford it .

Answer 2

in the 1800 a importer of European table ware got a deal on tons of "blue willow " pattern dinner plates. they arrived in USA during a down turn and he was forced to sell then for pennys small dinners bought tons of these "expensive" plates to use for there cheap specials and the name stuck.

Answer 3

According to wiki:

"The origin and explanation of the phrase are not clear. Kevin Reed says that "during the Depression, a manufacturer started making plates with separate sections for each part of a meal—like a frozen dinner tray—it seems that for whatever reason they were only available in the color blue."

In my area, we have a cafeteria that still has the "blue plate specials".  A lot of the Senior Citizens eat there.  I've been there for their Thanksgiving Meal and the food was really, really good.  Gotta love those "blue plates" however.  Made me feel like a kid again with those divider plates!!!!