Extremely pale, typically from shock, fear, illness, or surprise. The phrase emphasizes a dramatic whitening of someone's complexion by comparing it to white bed linens.
This simile became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries when white cotton or linen sheets were common household items that everyone could relate to as symbols of pure whiteness. The comparison emphasizes not just paleness but the complete absence of color.
The phrase is particularly effective because sheets are not just white but uniformly white - there are no variations in tone or texture, just pure, flat whiteness. This makes it perfect for describing that shocking moment when someone's face drains of all color, becoming as monochromatic as fresh laundry.
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