The origin:
The Lady has a Green Thumb
Back in the 1900s, the term “green fingers” was popular in the United Kingdom. It came from the green-stained fingers of farmers.
Often, plant extracts are used to dye fabric. Many plants secrete a stain. And so, during the harvest, the fingertips of farmers’ would become green with plant dyes.
The earliest use of “green fingers” came from the novel “The Misses Make-Believe” by Mary Stuart Boyd, a Scottish author.
She wrote:
“What old wives call green fingers: those magic digits that appear to ensure the growth of everything they plant.”
Later, the phrase “green thumb” came about. It was first used in the Daily Globe, in 1937.
An American journalist wrote:
“Miss Dvorak has what is known as the green thumb. That’s horticultural slang for being a successful gardener.”
Having a green thumb is a blessing. Those who have a green thumb make the plants grow. And, it’s said that “the lady who has a green thumb never lacks beauty, she is surrounded by flowers, nor goes hungry, food springs from the earth for her.”
Of course, having a green thumb can be cultivated and many have found their green thumb during the pandemic.
Examples of the Idiom: Green Thumb
- Aunt Petunia’s garden is beautiful. She really has a green thumb.
- I wish I had a green thumb so I could grow some red roses.
- The Dursleys are looking for someone who has a green thumb to take care of their family’s big garden.
Let’s practice
Q1: Try and make your own sentence.
Q2: Do you think having a green thumb is a natural talent or is it a skill that can be learned? Explain.
Q3: If you had a green thumb, what would you like to grow and why?
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Eigooo, the English Training Chat Application
To improve your English, the best way is to practice every day.
Eigooo supports you with a 24/7 chat service with real teachers.
- You can chat with the teacher one-on-one.
- The teacher will make immediate corrections to your messages.
- No need to make a reservation. You can start whenever you want.
- The free trial is ready.
Sign up now and get free messages to try it out
