The 'Blauer Brief' (the blue letter) is a German expression typically used by teenagers.
After you've screwed up enough with the teachers....you will get a letter which has to be seen and read by the parents, and signed.
Where does the expression come from? This is one of those curious things. If you go back about two-hundred years ago....regional German authorities would want to get your attention and they'd send you a document which you had to sign and return (noting that you'd been warned).
The material used for this act? Usually scrap clothing (blue in nature). You (as the authority) would not have a stock of paper, so clothing was the natural alternate means. You'd write the document on the clothing.
The other use of the term 'Blauer Brief' would be the termination notice by a company to an employee. So if your neighbor mentions something in the conversation and Blauer Brief comes up....it's a pretty negative thing. Same for a kid bringing up the topic.
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