tenderfoot
noun
Forms tenderfeet tenderfoots
- noun (chiefly Canada, US) An inexperienced person; a novice.
- noun (historical) A newcomer or arriviste to the region in the American frontier (Old West and Wild West).
- noun (dated) A Boy Scout of the lowest rank.
Synonyms
abecedarian alphabetarian apprentice amateur beginner bun colt first-timer fledgling FNG fresh meat freshman greenhorn greenie greener homo novus inceptor initiate Johnny-come-lately learner
Etymology
From tender + foot. Refers to the delicate feet of newcomers to ranching or mining areas. First attested 1866.
Webster’s 1913
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “tenderfoot”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details