Word Story 11:

In The Pink

Meaning: In perfect condition, especially of health.
Origin
The general usage of this phrase has altered somewhat since it first entered the language. We now usually see it with the specific meaning of 'the pink of condition', i.e. in the best possible health. It is tempting but, as it turns out, misguided, to assume an association between 'the pink of condition' and the healthily glowing pink cheeks of new-born babies or energetic sportsmen/sportswomen and the like.
The earliest citations of 'in the pink' are from the 16th century and, at that time, the meaning was 'the very pinnacle of something', but not necessarily limited to health. The earliest example found of pink being used with that meaning is from 1597 Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, 1597:       Mercurio: Why, I am the very pink of curtesie.
It isn't until the 20th century that we find the phrase in the 'pink of condition' form that is currently used, in the Kynoch Journal, 1905:
"Makers may dispatch explosives from the factory in the pink of condition."
Why pink has been chosen to epitomize the pinnacle of quality is likely to do with the Dianthus flower, many varieties of which are called Pinks. It is known that society in the reign of Elizabeth I admired the flowers, hence the first uses of pink with the 'excellent' meaning in that period.
What is interesting to speculate on is why the flowers were called Pinks. You may think that a silly question, as Dianthus is almost always pink in color. There are two quite believable theories. One suggests that it is the flower that gave their name to the color, rather than vice-versa, and that the name derives from the Dutch 'pinck-ooghen' - 'little eye' (literally - to blink). The second theory is based on the earlier verb form of pink, which means to cut or to pierce material - in a style that would now be done using pinking shears. Dianthuses are said to be called Pinks b