new chum

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


a new arrival, especially from theold country: generally used with more or less contempt; what inthe United States is called a `tenderfoot.'

1839. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions,' vol. i. p. 99:

«He was also what they termed a `new chum,' or one newlyarrived.»

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia,' p. 366:

«`New Chum,' in opposition to `Old Chum.' The former`cognomen' peculiarizing [sic] the newly-arrived Emigrant;the latter as a mark of respect attached to the more experiencedColonist.»

1855. `How to Settle in Victoria,' p. 15:

«They appear to suffer from an apprehension of being under-sold, or in some other way implicated by the inexperience of,as they call him, the `new chum.'»

1865. `Once a Week,' `The Bulla Bulla Bunyip':

«I was, however, comparatively speaking, a `new chum,'and therefore my explanation of the mystery met withscant respect.»

1874. W. M. B., `Narrative of Edward Crewe,' p. 17:

«To be a new chum is not agreeable – – it is something like beinga new boy at school – – you are bored with questions for some timeafter your arrival as to how you like the place, and what youare going to do; and people speak to you in a pitying andpatronizing manner, smiling at your real or inferred simplicityin colonial life, and altogether `sitting upon' you with muchfrequency and persistence.»

1885. R. M. Praed, `Head Station,' p. 32:

«A new chum is no longer a new chum when he can plait astock-whip.»

1886. P. Clarke [Title]:

«The New Chum in Australia.»

1887. W. S. S. Tyrwhitt [Title]:

«The New Chum in the Queensland Bush.»

1890. Tasma, `In her Earliest Youth,' p. 152:

«I've seen such a lot of those new chums, one way and another.

They knock down all their money at the first go-off, and then there's nothing for them to do but to go and jackaroo up in Queensland.»

1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Sydney-side Saxon,' p. 4:

«The buggy horse made a bolt of it when a new-chum Englishmanwas driving her.»

1892. Mrs. H. E. Russell, `Too Easily jealous,' p. 155:

«One man coolly told me it was because I was a new chum,just as though it were necessary for a fellow to rusticate foruntold ages in these barbarous solitudes, before he is allowedto give an opinion on any subject connected with the colonies.»

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