greeny

Noun

greenie (plural greenies)

1. (Australia, New Zealand, derogatory, slang) An environmentalist, someone who shows concern for the environment; often aimed at environmental extremists.
   • 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.’2000, Australian Association for Environmental Education, Australian Journal of Environmental Education, volumes 15-17, page 73

   Synonyms:

   tree hugger

2. (Australian, broadly, informal) A member of the Australian Greens.
3. (US, derogatory, slang, Wyoming) A person from Colorado; after the color of the Colorado license plate.
   • 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.2007, James Prosek, Joseph Furia, Steven Hayhurst, Joseph Kingsbery, Tight Lines: Ten Years of the Yale Anglers′ Journal, page 140
4. (informal) An unripe fruit.
   • 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.1987, Maxine Kumin, In deep: country essays, page 98
5. (US, slang) A beginner, a novice; a greenhorn.
   • […]“When the teacher says ‘Good Morning,’ you say, ‘Fuck You.’ That′s what you say in America.” Sometimes they varied this with “son of a bitch.” Sure enough the greenie parroted these instructions to the merriment of the classroom.1969, Harry Golden, The Right Time: An Autobiography, page 45

   Synonyms:

   greenhorn, tyro

6. (informal) A small, green object.
   • He dropped the emerald studs into Abbey's palm and said, “Those little greenies are worth more than diamonds.”2014, Carl Hiaasen, Carl Hiaasen Collection: Hoot, Flush, Scat, Chomp

See all 17 meanings of greenie