green room
noun phrase

- a room in a theater or studio where performers can relax before or after their performance

Oxford Languages

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PHRASE ORIGIN

The origin of the term "green room" may be lost to history, but one possible explanation dates back to the Blackfriars Theater in 1599. This theatre had a room behind the scenes where actors waited to go on stage, which was painted green and referred to as "the green room”.

Another instance of a green room was found in the Cockpit-in-Court theatre in London in 1662. This room was covered in green material, which some speculate was meant to relieve the eyes of the brightness and glare of the stage.

Interestingly, in medieval theatre, the acting area was referred to as "the green”, which was a central space often outdoors and covered with grass. Actors performed on this space while surrounded by onlookers seated on benches. Therefore, "the green" was essentially the stage during that time period.

Regardless of its origin, the term "green room" has been used since the 16th century to describe a room where performers can relax before or after their performance.

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GREEN IDIOMS

- green fingers (UK), green thumb (US) = someone who has a natural talent for gardening or growing plants

- green with envy = being very envious or jealous of someone else's good fortune or success

- the grass is always greener on the other side = the belief that things are always better somewhere else

- give something (or someone) the green light = to give permission or approval for something to proceed

- green belt = an area of land around a city or town that is designated for parks or nature reserves

- going green = adopting environmentally friendly practices or products

- greenhorn = a person who is new and inexperienced at something

- greenwash = to make false or misleading claims about environmental friendliness or sustainability

- greenback = a US dollar bill

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SYNONYMS

- a space for performers to relax before or after their performance

artist's lounge, dressing room, GREEN ROOM, lounge, ready room, rest area, rest space, sanctuary, staging area, waiting area, waiting room, wings

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:

“As staring at the colour green is believed to have a calming effect, it makes sense that the GREEN ROOM of studios and theatres should be painted that colour.”

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