Where did term "olive" come from when describing complexion?

Question

Why do people say some people have an "olive" complexion on their skin? I thought olive was a green color? So, where exactly did the term "olive" come from when describing some peoples skin tone?

I know most white people have pink skin tone.

Answer 1

olives in the middle east are  a very light golden brown.

they add dye to them to ship and sell them.

Answer 2

olive is Mediterranean term... were greek.. dusky rich complexions, with colour...

Helen of Troy... classic Greek beauty...

Answer 3

Let's say you wanted to paint a picture of Angelina Jolie.

http://today.ccopinion.com/images/angeli...

Suppose you had to mix your pigments from primary colors (yellow, red, blue).  I think you would need to start with yellow and red, but that would be too orange.  To bring the tint over to a more brown color, you would not add blue, I don't think, but first you would make some green paint by mixing blue and yellow.  

Now, obviously humans are not made of paint.  But all the color we see is the product of light being percieved by our eyes, which detect those primary colors.  So in a sense, whenever we see brown, we're seeing some green.  Actually, it's a really good question.  If I was level 2 I would vote for your question as interesting.

Answer 4

It is more tan in color rather than being brown or black.  Olive coloring is prevalent in Mediterranean and Mideast.