Talk&Learn – Foreign Language and Tutoring Services

Better late than never… here’s a new post on expressions with colors!

‘Essere al verde’, being in the green, means being poor, without money. I was asked by one of my students why is that so, since money in the US is green and she found the expression counterintuitive. I admit I didn’t know, so it was fun for me to do some research! I found out that it all dates back to the public auctions in Florence in the XVI century, where candles with a green base were lit up to determine the duration of the auction. One the candle reached the green base, the auction was closed and no more money was accepted, hence essere al verde as without money.

‘Avere il pollice verde’, to have a green thumb, just like in English refers to the ability to grow plants, a skill I don’t have since anything seem to miserably die on me!!

‘Essere verde d’invidia [o dall’invidia]’, being green with envy, is connected to the idea that envy would increase the production of bile, which is green.