E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Melons (French).
Children sent to school for the first time; so called because they come from a “hot-bed,” and are as delicate as exotics. At St. Cyr, the new-comers are called in schoolslang “Les melons,” and the old stagers “Les anciens.”
