viejo verde
Lemma Details
Translation: dirty old man; lecher; pervert
Part of Speech: idiom
Etymology: This Spanish idiom combines 'viejo' (old man) with 'verde' (green). The color green in Spanish has associations with lewdness and sexual impropriety. The expression dates back to at least the 19th century in Spanish literature, where 'verde' began to take on connotations of obscenity or lewdness (as in 'chiste verde' - dirty joke). The metaphorical use of 'green' to represent sexual impropriety differs from English, where green typically symbolizes inexperience or envy.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 10%
Register: informal
Example Usage
Ese viejo verde siempre está mirando a las chicas jóvenes.
That dirty old man is always looking at young girls.
No quiero sentarme cerca de él, se comporta como un viejo verde.
I don't want to sit near him, he behaves like a dirty old man.
En la película, interpreta a un viejo verde que acosa a sus empleadas.
In the movie, he plays a lecher who harasses his female employees.
Mnemonics
- Think of an old man ('viejo') wearing all green ('verde') clothes trying to attract attention in an inappropriate way.
- Remember that in Spanish culture, 'verde' (green) is associated with sexual content, unlike in English where it might suggest inexperience.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This expression is commonly used in Spanish-speaking cultures to describe older men who behave inappropriately toward younger women. It carries strong negative connotations and is used as a social criticism of inappropriate sexual behavior, especially when there's a significant age gap. The term appears frequently in literature, television, and everyday speech when discussing inappropriate male behavior.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'viejo verde' refers to a lecherous old man with inappropriate sexual behavior, 'viejo sabio' means 'wise old man' and has positive connotations of wisdom and experience.
Confused word:
El viejo sabio del pueblo siempre da buenos consejos.
The wise old man of the village always gives good advice.
Notes: The contrast between these terms highlights cultural attitudes toward elderly male behavior - one condemned, the other respected.
Mnemonic: Verde (green) = inappropriate/vulgar vs. Sabio (wise) = respected/knowledgeable
Explanation: 'Viejo verde' is an idiom for a lecherous old man, while 'vejez verde' would literally mean 'green old age' and could be used to describe a vibrant or active elderly period of life.
Notes: The term 'vejez verde' is much less common and more literal than the idiomatic 'viejo verde'.
Mnemonic: 'Viejo verde' is a person (noun + adjective), while 'vejez verde' is a concept (noun + adjective).