Etymology

blue gum

Today it means: Any of various eucalyptus trees having blueish leaves, especially Eucalyptus globulus. Full definition →

First used 19th c.
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The story

* blue + gum * (person of sub-Saharan African origin): Referring to the blue coloring around their gumline.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 19th c. Any of various eucalyptus trees having blueish leaves, especially Eucalyptus globulus.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.