Ah the perennial Oz favourite!!

Until a year or 2 ago, a learned Professor somebody had a regular slot on ABC (public) radio here in Perth - the focus of which was the strine language.

Despite being able to quote the first time it was seen in print, he reported that there was no official explanation for Blue/Bluey being used as a generic name for a red headed person. Thus everybody's personal favourite reason is just as valid as everybody elses.

For what it's worth, I think it's a typical example of "opposites" humour (my term - perhaps ironic is better?). Thus, quiet people are inevitably called "Rowdy", baldies get "Curly", the vertically challenged get "Lofty" whilst big buggers get "Tiny".

I suspect the origins for all of these (and this style of humour) are found in Lunnon English.

stales