Shocking Pink versus Hot Pink

Angie

Very bright pink is what I am used to calling "Shocking Pink". It was a term used in the 80's where I was growing up and it just stuck. Yet many of my American clients use the word "Hot Pink". Is that how you would describe that pink too?

Does anyone use the word Shocking Pink?

14 years ago

General

38 replies

Latest reply was from

(website)

Veteran

I use hot pink but I would know what you mean if you said shocking pink.

14 years ago

yellowgirl

Active Member

I agree with Mo. I would say Hot Pink, but if you said Shocking Pink, I would picture it just the same.

14 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I say "hot pink" but do sometimes think of it as "shocking pink" because that's what my mom has always called it!

14 years ago

Anonymous

I call it hot pink, but in some contexts say shocking pink for emphasis!

14 years ago

sarah

Veteran

I think they're the same - but I say "hot".

14 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

I would say hot pink, but I would understand both.

14 years ago

Sparky

Veteran

I came of age in the 80s and remember the term shocking pink too, but what comes out of my mouth is hot pink.

14 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Hot here, too.

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Shocking here, Angie.

It could be an age thing, or perhaps geographical/cultural? (I'm in Canada).

I would consider hot to be interchangeable and would understand what was meant by hot pink, but I don't think I would ever say it myself (unless trying to, consciously, because I thought I wouldn't be understood.)

14 years ago

Marley

Veteran

"Hot Pink" for me. The word "shocking" reminds me too much of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder! (I know, I've been a therapist waaaaay too long!)

14 years ago

Debora

Veteran

I've always called it hot pink. I remember I had hot pink beads and matching earrings in the 80's.

14 years ago

Cilleena

Veteran

I would say "Hot pink" or maybe "Bright pink".

14 years ago

morethanbeige

Veteran

Another for "hot pink".

14 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Hot pink here. But this is from my Color me beautiful palette in about 2001 so I don't know what I would have called it before (probably shocking pink, actually).

Out of interest am I right in thinking we're describing something a tiny bit different from lipstick pink (same intensity/brightness but a bit more on the blue side rather than the yellow side)? I'm not great on colour definitions, but always keen to learn...

14 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

I've always known it as "hot pink." I've never heard of "shocking pink" until now.

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This was interesting. Thanks, ladies.

It's just you and me Suz

14 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Between these two choices, I say hot pink. But I never liked the sound of that, so I just go with bright pink most of the time.

14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I use 'em pretty much interchangeably.

Although I will say I am not easily shocked.

14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

What about Shock HOT pink?

14 years ago

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

I say hot pink too.

14 years ago

anne

Veteran

hot pink or bright pink.

14 years ago

taylor

Veteran

I respond to both...hot pink is more familiar to me though

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I've never heard of shocking pink before. When I saw it in your title, I thought you meant neon pink.

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

MaryK - laughing out loud here, seriously!

14 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

Hot pink for me, too!

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Shocking usually means neon pink to me. I usually wear and use hot pink

14 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I say hot pink but I'd understand what was meant if someone said shocking pink x

14 years ago

Mellllls

Veteran

I think the term shocking pink came from the Crayola flourescent marker line. To me, shocking pink is more neon while hot pink is more bright. But I haven't heard anyone use the term shocking pink in recent years.

14 years ago

Beth

Veteran

Hot pink for me, but shocking pink is more fun to say:)

14 years ago

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