if it turns brown, is it brown?

I have seen the green and brown rule around, and remember it has to do with nitrogen and carbon.  I was wondering, if something that was green is left out outside and it turns brown, does it lose it's nitrogen?  Should I still put it in compost and count it as green?  is it brown?  I would think it's still food so I should still put it right?

Denitrification.  The nitrogen moved to Toledo, leaving the brown husk of a former living thing. 

When you mix your carbons and nitrogens in the compost, the carbons absorb some of the nitrogens as it composts!

I agree with Paul. But moved to Toledo LOL

I cut my grass and put it in my compost I always leave some out to dry and turn brown.
The fresh grass is a green.
The old dead grass I put on later is a brown.
I dont usually leave much to dry as I usually need more greens than browns in my mix.