greenie
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 1.98 in modern English
8
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An environmentalist, someone who shows concern for the environment; often aimed at environmental extremists.
Australian usage; New Zealand usage; Derogatory; Slang
noun
A person from Colorado; after the color of the Colorado license plate.
American usage; Derogatory; Slang
Example Sentences
- "People ask me if am I a greenie and I go, ‘No, not in the sense that I chain myself to trees, no I′m not. But in the sense that I am concerned about the environment and do my little bit to help, then yes I am.’"
- "“What′s a greenie doing with a gas hog like that?”"
- "2009, Sean Dooley, Cooking With Baz, Large Print 16pt Edition, page 25, ‘And whadda you want?’ the barman spat at me. Above his head was a large sign that read ‘Fertilize the Bush – Doze in a Greenie’. I was dressed in a flannelette shirt and army trousers – exactly like the Greenie protestors they′d been battling the previous year."
- "At Alcova, the problem is compounded for the fool or fools when they have greenie license plates and behave like tourists. The growing combative presence in their rear is chalk full of true Wyoming grit."
- "In every kitchen arises the acrid tang of green- tomato pickle, chutney, chili; on every south-facing kitchen windowsill the most promising greenies line up to be coaxed ripe."
- "Mid-August, normally prime berry-picking time, came and went. Still too many greenies."
Etymology
From green + -ie. Environmentalist sense first attested in Australia in 1973, referring to trade unionists who supported green bans.
Word Breakdown
Usage
- Australian usage
- New Zealand usage
- Derogatory
- Slang
- Informal
- American usage