Green Park. On account of its delightful grassy surface.
Green-room. From the green-coloured walls of the room set apart by David Garrick behind the scenes of Drury Lane Theatre for members of the company in the intervals of playing their parts. This colour was chosen as a relief to the eye after the glare of the stage lights.
Green Sea. From the aspect of its waters looking towards the shores of Arabia.
Greenwich. Expresses the Saxon for “green village.”
Grenadiers. Anciently a company of soldiers who marched in front of every regiment of foot, it being their function to throw hand-grenades into the ranks of the enemy.
Gresham Street. After Sir Thomas Gresham, founder of the Royal Exchange. His residence in Old Broad Street, on the site of the present Gresham House, was converted by him into a college, which in 1843 was removed into Gresham Street. The word Gresham comes from the German Grassheim, “grass home”; hence the grasshopper on the summit of the Royal Exchange.
Greville Street. Marks the site of the mansion of Fulke Greville, Lord Brooke, one of the ministers of James I.
Grey Friars. See “[Franciscans].”
Greyhound. An inn sign derived from the badge of Henry VII. The dog of this name originally came from Greece, and was accordingly styled a graihund, after the Graikoi, the people of that country.
Gripsack. An Americanism for a travellers’ hand-bag, corresponding to an English carpet bag.