greengrocing

English

Etymology

From greengrocer, as though it were constructed from a verb and -er. See -ing.

Noun

greengrocing (uncountable)

1. (humorous, nonce word) Greengrocery, the trade of selling fruit and vegetables.
   • 1907, Robert Elliott, Act of God:

     I'm goin' into the greengrocing tryde meself...

   • 1931, Lionel Britton, Hunger and love:

     And to think how you had stuck that greengrocing job, when there were jobs like this to be had for the asking!

   • 1999, Helen Paiba, Kate Sheppard, Funny Stories for Six Year Olds:

     "I expect they get the union rates for bright greengrocing lads."

   • 2006, Michael Lingaard, The other side of magik: the first tale of the mirror worlds:

     Garreth nodded, but he could feel panic rising; greengrocing? Selling vegetables? 'Could I be excused from the table?' Garreth inquired […]