[debate] particular vs specific

[Chaim Rieger]

perhaps with all of your input i can rest tonight

for the past few months (yup i lead an easy lifestyle) i've been going
back and forth with my g/f over which one of the above words is correct
for example

i like a particular shade (not so good)
i like a specific shade (much better)

she selected a particular cherry (yikes)
she selected a specific cherry (ahh)

so do tell, you smart peeps,

which one is more correct, according to the insane rules of the english
language