David O wrote:

All my dictionaries show red as both a noun and an adjective. Your
use of "red" simply uses its common adjective form. An example of an
adjectival noun would be the word "village" in the phrase "village
idiot". I expect Barnyard Bob could have a field day with that
opening.

Oy. Touche', touche'. I should've chosen a *correct* example of my point.

As a last resort in resolving such issues, I have found the newsgroup
alt.usage.english quite helpful.

Your subtle, and Dave Hyde's less so :-), point taken. I'm happy to let this
sub-thread die.

Russell Kent