We can say "a popular book". I think we can say "a famous book". We can also say "a famous person" and "a popular person". But why can't we say "a famous colour"?
Pope of the Dictionary.com Forum
How about something like Bentley cars' racing green?
If I have made any mistakes, please tell me about them. I need to improve my English anyway and I hope you'll help me.
without a communication breakdown whereas the latter could be relaxed for specific effect (humorous, etc.). The 'popular v. famous' issue seems to be of the second type, that is a 'famous colour' might not necessarily be wrong and could add something else to the initial meaning (humour, irony, sarcasm, etc.). As always, context is absolutely crucial.
Be warned - this is a subjective view, don't go and bend the rules of the English language.