E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Green-Eyed Jealousy or Green-eyed Monster.
Expressions used by Shakespeare (Merchant of Venice, iii. 2; Othello, iii. 3). As cats, lions, tigers, and all the green-eyed tribe “mock the meat they feed on,” so jealousy mocks its victim by loving and loathing it at the same time.
