Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US black) in a bad mood, angry; uncouth, aggressive.

1946		Mezzrow & Wolfe Really the Blues 219: Well tell a green man somethin’, Jack. I know they’re briny.
1960		(con. 1950-1960) R.A. Freeman Dict. Inmate Sl. (Walla Walla, WA) 17: Briny – unpleasant; hostile, etc.
1994		M. Ribowsky Don’t Look Back 315: [W]ith the ‘Go Go’ Sox [...] gearing up to win their first pennant in forty years, the briny manager Al Lopez wouldn’t hear of it.