Newfie

For the dog, see Newfoundland (dog).

Scene from an outport (small fishing village) in Newfoundland

Newfie (also Newf or sometimes Newfy) is a colloquial term used in Canada for someone who is from Newfoundland. It appears in a 1942 dictionary of slang; at the time, 'Newfie' was used as often to refer to Newfoundland itself as to people from Newfoundland (who were also 'Newfiers'). The term 'Newfie' has been applied to the Newfoundland people, the proper demonym for whom is Newfoundlander(s). It also can refer to items of Newfoundland origin such as:

• Newfie Bullet, a nickname created by U.S. military personnel serving at bases in Newfoundland during the Second World War for a notoriously slow passenger train operated on the island.
• Newfie Screech, a type of rum bottled in Newfoundland.
• Relatedly, Newfiejohn was the name used by some sailors for St. John's (the capital) while on convoy duty during the Second World War. ^[1]

Usage

The first edition of the Gage Canadian Dictionary, published in 1983, and the second edition of the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, published in 1987, both include usage notes describing the term 'Newfie' as offensive. However, neither the second edition of the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, published in 2004, or the current edition of the Dictionary of Newfoundland English, published in 1998, make such a mention.^[2]

In March 2006, an Edmonton police officer was disciplined for using the word Newphie [sic] to describe the apprehension of an individual under the Mental Health Act.^[3]

In the 1970s, the Government of Alberta added the term 'Newfie' to a list of words not allowed to be used on personalised licence plates, reasoning that it was an ethnic slur and hateful. In 2006, a man from Newfoundland argued that it was also a source of pride, and fought to have the word removed from the list, and he eventually won. As of 2008, the ban has been lifted.^[4]

References

1. ^ Dunlop, Daniel T. "The Sinking of U90". http://www.noac-national.ca/article/Dunlop/The_Sinking_of_U90.html. Retrieved 2008-06-25. 
2. ^ "Newfie". Dictionary of Newfoundland English, 2nd ed. 1998. Story, G. M.; Kirwin, W. J.; & Widdowson, J. D. A., eds. ISBN 9780802068194. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
3. ^ Edmonton Sun article reference
4. ^ Alberta government approves NEWFIE licence plate

External links

• The newfie website
• Awareness/Education: Implications of the use of the word 'Newfie'
• Discussion on Implications of the word 'Newfie'
• Newfoundland sayings and expressions
• HomeSickNewfies
• A comedy podcast discussing 'Newfie' with a Newfoundlander
• From Newfoundland to UpAlong.org