FIRRIB

RIBFIR stands for "Rumble is blue, Frenzy is red". Likewise, FIBRIR means "Frenzy is blue, Rumble is red". (The forms FIRRIB and RIRFIB are also known.)

The entire debate exists because "RIBFIR" in the American G1 cartoon (although the character is actually primarily a shade of purple), but "FIBRIR" in the toyline, comics, and the Japanese G1 dub, and even the US cartoon bible.

According to one theory, the desision to have Rumble be blue in the cartoon came from a plan to only feature one of each mold in the cartoon. Laserbeak was chosen for use in the toon because Buzzsaw was packaged with Soundwave. Because Rumble (red) came with Ravage, and Frenzy (blue) came with Laserbeak, kids who wanted both the show colors and the character would buy both sets.

Another theory is that the first theory is crazy, and the whole thing is the result of an error.