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Adult films have been called “Blue Movies” almost as long as they’ve been around, but do you know why? Apparently, the origin of the phrase is something of a mystery, but there are a few educated guesses that may shed light on this colorful phrase.

In 1781, in a historical book about Connecticut, a man named (Reverend) Samuel Peters noted that the harsh puritanical law often called for use of force or brutality to ensure that rulebreakers were not merely chastised, but served as an example to all. In his book, the Reverend calls these “blue laws”, with blue meaning bloody in the parlance of the times. Today, we use the phrase blue laws to describe any laws or rules that seem overly restrictive or puritanical, such as requiring businesses (notably liquor-serving establishments) to close early on Sunday, for Sunday’s sake.

Naturally, this means that blue movies – porn movies, which strict laws would frown upon, or disown entirely if they could – are of the same vice-filled lawlessness as those first colonial rule breakers. Thankfully, we have freedom to watch, collect, and enjoy these movies in the privacy of our own homes today. There would be many porn stars and porn starlets out of a job, if the puritans had their way!

Other origins of the somber-hued connotations of our favorite adult movies are attributed to things like blue spotlights being used in early striptease acts, the blue gowns old-fashioned prostitutes in jail were required to wear, and a Scottish encyclopedia published in the 1800′s, which clearly defines blue as attributing a “smutty touch” to songs, art, and other works.

phrase “blue laws” dates back to 1781 when the Reverend Samuel Peters published his history of Connecticut. He painted the strict laws of the puritan colonists as “blue laws,” meaning “bloody laws” or laws that were enforced by brutality. “Blue laws” became shorthand for any strict, old-fashioned laws, such as laws forbidding liquor sales on Sundays.