Question: why do they call it a livery stable

title: Livery
text: Following on from the decoration of horse - drawn carriages , a livery is the common design and paint scheme a company will use on its vehicles , often using specific colors and logo placement . In this sense , the term is applied to railway locomotives and rolling stock , ships , aircraft , and road vehicles . For example , United Parcel Service has trucks with a well - known brown livery . Another example is the British Airways ethnic liveries . The term has become extended to the logos , colors and other distinctive styles of companies in general . See also trade dress .