Newfie
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"Newfie" is a colloquial term used in Canada for one who is from Newfoundland and Labrador.
The term newfie has been applied to the Newfoundland people (more properly addressed as Newfoundlanders). It also can refer to items of Newfoundland origin such as the "Newfie Bullet" (a nickname created by American military personnel serving at bases in Newfoundland during the Second World War for a former passenger train named the Caribou which ran from Port aux Basques to St John's), "newfie screech" (brand of Newfoundland rum) or even a large furry affectionate Newfoundland dog (some claim Newfoundland and Labrador to be the only province named for two dogs).
Ethnic jokes
The "Newf" or "Newfie" terms are considered derogatory by many Newfoundlanders due to their use in "Newfie jokes", typical Canadian ethnic jokes told and retold since the days of the bankruptcy of the Dominion of Newfoundland government during the Great Depression. "Newfie", however, is often considered far less derogatory than "Newf", if derogatory at all, as many Newfoundlanders refer to themselves as Newfies—either in seriousness or in jest; "Newf" is more associated with the insult "Dumb Newf" and, thusly, is very rarely used by a Newfoundlander.
In Canada Newfs of both genders also have a reputation for sexual prowess, availability and insatiability, hence the phrase, "If you can't get enuff, get a Newf."
Most jokes were originally created (in nearly identical form) to insult the intelligence of other groups such as the Irish, Polish or Belgians.
Occasionally, Canadian place names are substituted into these old jokes.
Many from Newfoundland and Labrador find the word and the jokes offensive
Newfoundland links
- Newfie Mania travel site (http://www3.nf.sympatico.ca/jerry.billard/html/index.htm)
- Newfoundland (http://www.io.com/~sjohn/sandra/nfsay.htm) sayings and (http://www.wordplay.com/tourism/folklore/newfwords.html) expressions (http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_nov2003/Newfie_English.htm)
- A Newfie Christmas jig (lyrics) (http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/xmas/newfiechristmasjig.shtml)
- Official Newfoundland heritage site (http://www.heritage.nf.ca/)
- Newfoundland photos (http://richwielgosz.com/newfie.html)
- Newfoundland dog fans' listing (http://fan.brokenstar.net/newfoundland/)
- Newfie gallery - dog photos (http://newfdawg.com/Newfie-Gallery.htm)
- more Newfoundland dog photos (http://homepage.mac.com/samchops/B733177502/C1781742690/index.html)
- Newfie Stump Jumpers (band) (http://home.cogeco.ca/~scarroll58/thenewfiestumpjumpers.html)
- Newfie karaoke (disc) (http://www.newfiekaraoke.com/)
- "Newfie Bullet" narrow-gauge rail train (http://www3.nf.sympatico.ca/mayad/fish/nfbullet.htm)
- Corner Brook Nfld rail site (http://www.cornerbrook.com/tourism/ttrain.html)
- NewfieSearch registry of Newfoundland émigrés (http://www.newfoundlandsearch.homestead.com/)
- CanadianCulture.com (http://www.canadianculture.com/newfiejune/newfiejunestories.html)
- Off the Rock (http://www.offdarock.com)
- Atlantic Canada web ring (http://www.ringsurf.com/netring?ring=atlantic;action=list)