watermelon

Meaning

Noun

• A plant of the species Citrullus lanatus, bearing a melon-like fruit.
• The fruit of the watermelon plant, having a green rind and watery flesh that is typically bright red when ripe and contains black pips.
• An environmentalist with socialist leanings.
• A pinkish-red colour, like that of watermelon flesh (also called watermelon pink).
• A project that is presented as on schedule when it actually has parts that are falling behind.

Origin

• From the 1610s, a compound of water + melon. The meanings refering to environmentalists and behind schedule projects derive from the idea of having green (eco-friendly, on-schedule) outward-appearance while being red (socialist, behind schedule) in a hidden way comparable to that of the fruit.