Expression: They were yellow

[Beeesneees]

There is no definitive answer to this. A number of different references to appear to have grown up independently of each other.
In the US in the 1840s, the term was used to describe Mexicans, who would soon be at war with the US.
In Britain at the same time, the term was used to describe people born in Lincolnshire (they had a yellow complexion), though it was not linked to the idea of cowardice.
However, there is a much earlier reference which has also been put forward as a theory:
The medieval theory of medicine assumed there were four humors (fluids) in the body. These determined the physical and mental condition of the person. If they got out of balance, you got sick or went insane.
The four humors were blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile. Yellow bile (choler from the Greek kholos for gall) made you peevish, irascible and inconsistent of character. The disease cholera got its name from the symptom of yellowish diarrhoea. So yellow became a symbol of jealousy and cowardice.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Rainbowliselle]

In the Philippines, the color yellow prevails nowadays and it represent courage.... for fighting against corruption. So I was surprised to find out just today that yellow represent cowardness. funny.

[Petronela_Lacatusu]

This is the first time I 've seen the idom "they were yellow". I didn't know that this colour had this kind of connotation.

[Maraschino912]

In my country, in others Asian countries either, yellow is color of royal, the light of glory, blah blah.
but if someone get an ill, he also in yellow or green

I think white is color of coward, like white-flag :D, so I chose white, so ... incorrect

[Kayadel]

Hi
the yellow refer to "being pale of fear". they were frighten so they escape! isn't so?