E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Orange-tawny.
The ancient colour appropriated to clerks and persons of inferior condition. It was also the colour worn by the Jews. Hence Lord Bacon says, “Usurers should have orange-tawny bonnets, because they do Judaise” (Essay xli.). Bottom the weaver asked Quince what coloured beard he was to wear for the character of Pyr’amus: “I will discharge it in either your straw-coloured beard, your orange-tawny beard, your purple-ingrain beard, or your French crown-colour, which is a perfect yellow.” (Midsummer Night’s Dream, i. 2.)
