Words & TermsWork, bush and rural life
new chum
A newcomer, novice or newly arrived inexperienced immigrant/colonist.
In a sentence
In this historical or contextual use, “new chum” means a newcomer, novice or newly arrived inexperienced immigrant/colonist.
Where it came from
Historical Australian sources and dictionaries document new chum from the colonial period, with roots in convict-era chum terminology.
- Initial era
- 1800–1899
- Where used
- Australian use; no narrower regional pattern established