greens etymology

Etymology

The word "greens" has its origin in the Old English word "grene," which means "grass" or "unripe." It is related to the Old Norse word "grønn," the Old German word "gruon," and the Latin word "granum," which all refer to something that is young, fresh, or green.

Meaning

"Greens" can refer to several things:

  • Green plants: This is the most common meaning, referring to the edible leaves of various plants, including spinach, lettuce, kale, and collard greens.
  • Vegetables: In some contexts, "greens" can refer to vegetables in general, especially those with green leaves.
  • Grass: In certain contexts, "greens" can refer to grass or lawns.
  • Unexperienced people: In slang, "greens" can be used to refer to inexperienced or naive people, particularly in the context of gambling.

Origin

The word "greens" has been used in English since the 13th century. It initially referred to the green color of grass and plants but gradually came to be used to describe the edible leaves of these plants. The term "green salad" first appeared in the 16th century, and "collard greens" (cabbage leaves) became popular in the 18th century.

greens relate terms

  • green

    Etymology Middle English as a noun meaning freshly growing or freshly cut grass b

  • green

    Etymology Middle English as a noun meaning freshly growing or freshly cut grass b

  • rough

    Etymology rough adj Middle English rough from Old English rūh of unknown origin

  • sorrel

    Etymology Old English sure sour diminutive suffix el Meaning A leafy gree

  • site

    Etymology Late Middle English from Old French from Latin situs situation place fr

  • genre

    Etymology The word genre derives from the Old French word gengre which in turn come

  • sprout

    Etymology Middle English sprote Old English sprēot Proto Germanic sprutus Proto Ind

  • emerald

    Etymology Old French esmeralde Late Latin smaragdus Ancient Greek σμάραγδος

  • tract

    Etymology The word tract comes from the Latin tractus meaning a drawn line a stre

  • spinach

    Etymology and Meaning The word spinach comes from Medieval Latin spinacia Old Fren

  • late

    Etymology The word late comes from the Old English word læte which means slow or

  • tale

    Etymology The word tale comes from the Middle English word tale which is derived fro