in black and white

I

in black and white (idiom)
/ɪn ˌblæk ən ˈwaɪt/

Meaning

• Written clearly so it can be read and understood without confusion.
• Officially recorded on paper or in a printed document as proof.
• Viewed as having only two opposite options, with one correct and the other incorrect.
• Seeing things in absolute extremes, without recognizing shades of meaning.
• Depicted or shown without color, using only black, white, and shades of gray.

Synonyms: written; documented; recorded; explicit; clear-cut; monochrome.

Example Sentences

1. The rules are in black and white, so there’s no misunderstanding.
2. I have the agreement in black and white, so you can’t go back on it.
3. He sees the debate in black and white, believing one side is entirely right.
4. She tends to think in black and white, ignoring the complexity of most situations.
5. The classic movie was filmed in black and white, adding to its charm.

Origin and History

The phrase in black and white most likely comes from the simple and practical act of writing with black ink on white paper. For centuries, letters, books, and legal documents were made this way because it was easy to read and lasted a long time. When something was written down in this clear form, it was considered official, certain, and could be proven—unlike spoken words, which could be forgotten or denied.

Historical Usage

The idiom has been part of English for many hundreds of years. Records show that the idea of something being in black and white as a clear and unquestionable record appears as far back as the late 1300s in Middle English. By the late 1500s, the phrase was already being used in its familiar sense. William Shakespeare even hinted at the idea in Much Ado About Nothing (1598), when characters talk about writing things down for clarity.

Symbolism of Opposites

Another reason the phrase caught on is the old symbolism of black and white as opposites. Across many cultures, black and white have long represented extreme differences—light and dark, truth and lies, good and bad. This may have helped give the idiom a second meaning: seeing things as completely clear-cut, with no middle ground or “gray area.”

The American Civil War Theory

One theory, though less substantiated and often considered inaccurate, links the phrase to the American Civil War. This idea suggests that during this period, both sides (often referred to as “Blacks and Whites” in some historical contexts, referring to racial groups involved in the conflict) considered themselves correct, leading to a deadlock. The phrase, according to this theory, then came to mean a situation where one side is right and the other is wrong, or where both believe they are right, leading to a rigid opposition. However, the linguistic evidence points to the phrase existing long before the 19th-century American Civil War, making this connection unlikely to be the primary origin.

Nautical or Maritime Myth

A lesser-known and largely speculative myth suggests that the phrase in black and white may have originated from practices in maritime shipping. In the age of sail and early steamships, important instructions, vessel names, and cargo details were often painted in bold black letters against a white background on the hull or other visible parts of the ship. This was done for maximum contrast so the information could be read clearly from a distance, even in poor weather conditions.

However, there is no strong historical or linguistic evidence linking this maritime practice directly to the origin of the idiom. Most etymologists agree that the phrase predates the widespread use of painted ship markings in this format and instead arose naturally from the much older tradition of black ink on white paper in legal and literary contexts. As such, this nautical explanation is regarded as an interesting parallel image rather than the true source of the expression.

Evolution of Meaning

Over time, the phrase kept its main meaning—something written down clearly and officially—but also gained the figurative sense of seeing things in absolute terms. Today, both meanings are still used, but the “written proof” sense remains the strongest.

Variants

• black and white
• put in black and white
• set down in black and white

Color

Last update: July 30, 2025 6:29 AM