Here’s Why Being Fired Is Called “Getting the Pink Slip”

We’ve all heard the phrase before: “They gave him the pink slip.” It’s a polite (and sometimes cold) way of saying someone has lost their job. But where did this colorful term come from? And why a pink slip, of all things?

As with many quirky expressions in the English language, the answer lies in a mix of history, paperwork, and office traditions.

The Origin of the Phrase

The term “pink slip” dates back to the early 1900s in the United States. During this time, large companies—especially factories and industrial businesses—began standardizing their internal documentation processes. One common practice was to use different colored papers to signify different things.

When an employee was terminated, they were often handed a termination notice printed on pink-colored paper—making it instantly recognizable. Over time, this became known as receiving a "pink slip," and the term stuck.

But Why Pink?

That part is still a bit of a mystery. There’s no single documented reason why pink was chosen over, say, yellow or green. However, theories suggest:

• Visibility: Pink paper stood out clearly among stacks of white paperwork, making it easy to identify.

• Psychological association: Pink, typically a soft and gentle color, may have been chosen to soften the emotional blow of being let go.

• Printing practices: In early 20th-century offices, color-coded forms were commonly used for efficiency, and pink may have simply been assigned to terminations as part of that system.

Pop Culture Cemented the Phrase

As workplace culture evolved, and as film, television, and newspapers began referencing the term more frequently, “pink slip” entered the mainstream as a euphemism for job loss. Even though most companies today use email or standard white paper for termination notices, the term persists—largely because of its emotional weight and historic familiarity.

Other Places You’ll Hear “Pink Slip”

Interestingly, the term isn’t limited to job loss. In places like California, a “pink slip” can also refer to a vehicle title—proof that you own your car. In racing lingo, racing for pinks means betting your car on the outcome of a race.

So while the context may change, the vividness of the phrase remains the same.

Final Thought

Whether you’ve heard it in an old movie or read it in a workplace drama, “getting the pink slip” is one of those expressions rooted in real office history—and its pink hue still carries a punch. It’s a reminder of how color-coded bureaucracy and emotional language often go hand in hand.

Curious about more workplace idioms or the origin of other everyday phrases? Keep browsing MindMatter for more deep dives into the quirks of language and culture.