green fingers

English
WOTD – 7 March 2024

Etymology
PIE word
*pénkʷe

From green (adjective) +‎ fingers,[1] possibly popularized by the British gardener and radio and television broadcaster Cecil Henry Middleton (1886–1945).

Pronunciation
  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɡɹiːn ˈfɪŋɡəz/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ɡɹin ˈfɪŋɡəɹz/
  • Audio (AU)(file)
  • Hyphenation: green fing‧ers

Noun

green fingers pl (plural only)

  1. (idiomatic, informal) A seemingly natural gardening ability.
    Synonym: (US) green thumb
    • 2008 August 29, David Adam, “Environment: Johnson unveils secret weapon in war on climate change – the roof garden”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian‎, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2023-03-13:
      To some they are a rural escape in the centre of the city, to others they are a chance to test their green fingers and design skills. Now London mayor Boris Johnson has found a new use for urban roof gardens – as a key weapon on the front line against global warming.

Usage notes

The term is chiefly used in the form to have green fingers.

Derived terms

Translations
seemingly natural gardening ability — see green thumb

References
  1. “green fingers, n.”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, December 2023; “green fingers, plural n.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
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