Black as pitch

Origin

Pitch, a thick, sticky, intensely black substance derived from petroleum or wood tar, has been a vital material since ancient times. From caulking ships in ancient Egypt to sealing roofs and roads across civilizations, its utilitarian purpose was matched only by its undeniable, light-absorbing darkness. When early English speakers sought to describe an absence of light so profound it felt absolute, what better standard than this ubiquitous, deep-hued resin? The phrase emerged as a simple yet powerful testament to pitch's unparalleled blackness, enduring through centuries to paint a picture of utter darkness in our minds.