1856. T. Hughes, Tom Brown’s School Days, pt. I., ch. ii. You try to make us think … that you are, even as we, of the working classes. But bless your hearts, we ain’t so green.
1869. Literary World, 31 Dec., p. 129, c. 2. His fellow-passengers laughed at him for being so green.
1879. Punch’s Almanack, p. 7. Seasonable Slang. For Spring.—You be blowed! For Summer.—I’ll warm yer! For Autumn.—Not so blooming green! For Winter.—An ice little game all round.
1887. Lippincott, July, p. 104. Within the last day or so a young fellow has arrived who is in danger of being eaten by the cows, so green is he.
1890. Licensed Vict. Gaz., 7 Nov. Being quite green at the time, I rather lost my head over my good fortune.
Verb (colloquial).—To hoax; to swindle. At Eton to green up. For synonyms, see Gammon.
1836–41. T. C. Buckland, Eton. I was again catechized on many points personal to myself, and some mild attempts were made to green me, as boys call it.
1889. Answers, 2 Mar., p. 218, c. 1. Whereupon the old humbug burst into a loud guffaw, as though he were rejoicing at having greened the toff.
1892. Anstey, Voces Populi (Second Series). ‘Bank Holiday,’ 147. The Damsel (giggling). You go on—you don’t green me that w’y. [[206]]
Greens, subs. (old).—1. Chlorosis: i.e., the green sickness.