Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
local colour
noun
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ I had already begun an outline for another book and for that I needed some local colour in an Eastern bloc country.
▪ More established resorts improve a lot on these standards, but perhaps offer less local colour and charm.
▪ Secondly the traditional dances and customs of a particular country that can give local colour and atmosphere to a plot or theme.
▪ She had not gone unnoticed by Ron Barton of the True Brit who was, as always, in search of local colour.
▪ Their function is to supply realism or local colour, and for these purposes their use is perfectly legitimate.
Usage examples of "local colour".
Then, still in Furmint's voice, I rang up the transport pool, ordered a truck to be brought round for Major Howarth at once, and ordered four men to be standing by in readiness to accompany him -- I didn't want them, but I had to have them for local colour.
After all the book is English, and by an Englishman, and presumably even those who wish its narrative and dialogue turned into an idiom that they understand, will not ask of a translator that he should deliberately attempt to destroy the local colour.
This elegantly-suited grey-haired Anglo sported a tie with a scorpion in a plastic clasp which seemed like an intentional parody of local colour.
I'd thought they were out with a guide trying to rake up some local colour.