or green-head, Greenlander), subs. (common).—A simpleton; a fool; a GULL (q.v.); also a new hand. For synonyms, see BUFFLE and CABBAGE-HEAD. TO COME FROM GREENLAND = to be fresh to things; RAW (q.v.). GREENLANDER sometimes = an Irishman.
1753. The Adventurer, No. 100. A slouch in my gait, a long lank head of hair, and an unfashionable suit of drab coloured cloth, would have denominated me a GREENHORN, or, in other words, a country put very green.
1815. SCOTT, Guy Mannering, ch. xliv. ‘Why, wha but a crack-brained GREENHORN wad hae let them keep up the siller that ye left at the Gordon-Arms?’
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, viii. ‘A new pal,’ replied Jack, pulling Oliver forward. ‘Where did he come from?’ ‘GREENLAND.’
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch. ix. All these he resigned to lock himself into a lone little country house, with a simple widow and a GREENHORN of a son.
