translate English to French: The term originated in Britain where it is applied to government documents, reports, statements of policy of insufficient thickness to require the strong blue covers normally used.(1) In Canada, the white covers were not used consistently, so the colour of the cover cannot be used as a guide and the term itself becomes rather meaningless.
Le terme mÃªme prend son origine en Grande-Bretagne oÃ¹ il s'applique aux documents gouvernementaux, rapports, Ã©noncÃ©s de politiques dont l'Ã©paisseur est insuffisante pour justifier la forte reliure bleue habituellement en usage.(1) Au Canada toutefois, la couleur de la couverture ne peut servir de guide, le blanc n'ayant Ã©tÃ© utilisÃ© que de faÃ§on sporadique.