Saint Patrick's Day: French expressions featuring the colour green

We look at three French expressions related to the colour green to mark Saint Patrick's Day celebrations on March 17.

Donner une volée de bois vert (literally ‘to give a beating with green wood’):

It refers to the idea of receiving violent criticism, much like English speakers would talk about receiving a 'blow'. 

It is often used by the media in relation to political conflicts.

The mention of green wood stems from the fact that young wood is hard, full of sap, and therefore inflicts the most paint when used for striking blows. 

Etre vert de rage (literally ‘to be green with rage’):

This means to be extremely angry.

In medicine, anger was associated with the gallbladder. The French word ‘colère’ - anger - derives from the Latin word cholera, which meant an excess of bile (a green fluid stored in the gallbladder).

It is said that the colour of bile gave rise to the expression.

If you hear someone say they are simply vert(e), this implies disappointment rather than rage. You might say it after missing a train, for example. 

Avoir la main verte (literally ‘to have a green hand’):

This expression is used to refer to someone who is skilled at gardening. It was coined in the 20th Century and is an extension of the older expression ‘avoir la main (pour)’ - ‘to have the hand (for)’, which meant to be gifted at something.

You may also hear avoir les pouces verts (literally: to have green thumbs). 

The qualifier ‘green’ makes the connection with nature and subsequently gardening.

French writer Michel Tournier (1924-2016) used the expression, ‘une femme dont les mains vertes paraissaient avoir le don de faire pousser n'importe quoi n'importe où’ (‘a woman whose green hands seemed to have the ability to make anything grow anywhere’), which popularised the analogy.

Also related to nature, some people say they are au vert (in the green) to describe being in the countryside.

Gagné sur tapis vert (literally 'won on a green carpet'):

The origins of this expression are unclear, however it describes winning something by forfeit - if the opponent is disqualified or withdraws, for example.

You may also hear the synonym: victoire sur tapis vert (victory on a green carpet). 

Un vert galant (literally ‘a green gallant’):

A ‘vert galant’ is an older man who actively chases women.

This was a nickname given to Henri IV, who reigned in France between 1589 to 1610 due to his love of beautiful women and the rumours of his many mistresses.

The adjective ‘green’ likely symbolises the youthful and robust nature of the ‘vert galant’, and in particular his youthful sexual appetite which has not been assuaged by age.

This particular expression is somewhat outdated and you are not likely to hear it being used very often.

Etre vert de jalousie (literally 'to be green with envy')

Whether speaking in French or in English, the colour green is associated with feelings of jealousy, 

It is however more uncommon to hear someone in France refer to the green-eyed monster, or the monstre aux yeux verts.