1748. T. Dyche, Dictionary (5th ed.). Greenness (s) … also the rawness, unskilfulness, or imperfection of any person in a trade, art, science, etc.
1838. Jas. Grant, Sketches in London, ch. vi., p. 205. Instances of such perfect simplicity or greenness, as no one could have previously deemed of possible existence. [[212]]
Green-rag.—See Greeny, sense 1.
Green-river. To send a man up green-river, verb. phr. (American).—To kill. [From a once famous factory on Green River, where a favourite hunting-knife was made.] For synonyms, see Cook One’s Goose.
1848. Ruxton, Life in the Far West, p. 175. A thrust from the keen scalp-knife by the nervous arm of a mountaineer was no baby blow, and seldom failed to strike home up to the green river [i.e., the mark] on the blade.
Green-sickness, subs. (old).—Chlorosis.
Green-turtle. To live up to green-turtle, verb. phr. (American).—To do, and give, one’s best. [From the high esteem in which the green fat of turtle is held.]
1888. Paton, Down the Islands. People who, as hosts, live up to their green turtle.
Greenwich Barber, subs. (old).—A retailer of sand from the Greenwich pits. [A pun upon ‘shaving’ the banks.]
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.