Recently, I’ve been witness to a debate on Steel White Table over the use of the term “Newfie”. I posted about the use of this term on a couple of occasions (here and here). As indicated there , I had always been ok with the use of the word as long as someone wasn’t using it in a malicious way. I’ve only come across a few rude people in my life who used it in this way, and I’ve come across a few more (all Quebecers) who use the term to mean “a stupid person”. One such person never even knew that the term had anything to do with Newfoundland. I’m secure enough to ignore them or embarrass them right back, depending on my mood.
I came across another blog recently that, for some reason, changed my perspective on the term. No new arguments or anything… maybe just a little more history and maybe he just wrote it so well. But now, I’m converted. His post is worth reading. Check it out here.
I won’t be so tolerant of Newfie jokes going forward. But I’ll leave you with one now:
What’s black and blue and floats in the harbour? A mainlander who told too many Newfie jokes.
Pender
June 5, 2006 at 6:29 pm
Hmm.. I tell ya, I still disagree.
From the article’s connotations it’s like calling a black person a nigger, a slur created by stupid, ignorant, scared, biggots. They were opressed to death and that word was a dagger in the back. Being called “newfie” is resembling how black people can call each other “mah nigga” and it not be a slur, but if a white guy says it, look out. I’d rather not stoop to that level, having a chip on my shoulder to make me hate other people who use the term out of their OWN ignorance. If people think I’m a dumbass “newfie”, oh well, so be it. I’d rather prove them wrong with my strength of character than have that chip. If I don’t prove them wrong, then oh well, they aren’t worth my time anyhow. Sitting around crying about it isn’t going to change anyone else’s mind either, and in fact, it’d look more like it’s true if I cry about it (kinda like crying in court makes you look guilty, even if you’re not).
The whole thing just sounds like something manufactured by someone else’s ideals to stress and cry over for no good reason other than their own pridefulness. “stop makin’ fun of me! waaahhhh!”
Steve
June 6, 2006 at 9:30 am
I’m not saying I’m going to start being offended… I just won’t use the word so freely myself. I mean, if some people use it interchangably with the word “stupid” and it doesn’t cost me anything to stop (not even integrity), then why not.
I was at the pool hall two weeks ago and this guy (from Quebec) says “I’d have to be newfie not to understand that.” Now, this is an otherwise decent guy, and he was visibly embarrassed when I told him I was from Newfoundland. That’s not ignorance, that’s willful malice on his part. He KNEW what he was saying and how he was saying it. He won’t do it again (in front of me anyways) because he realizes what he said. AND if he talks about it, he’ll talk about his social faux pas and not how whiny I was.
It’s only a chip if your response is exaggerated and unreasonable. Attempting to adjust attitudes and social ignorance IS showing strength of character.
Niall
June 6, 2006 at 11:16 am
newfies are the new emo!
Steve
June 6, 2006 at 12:46 pm
“Newfoundlanders”, Chris…. “Newfoundlanders”. Haven’t you been listening?
Jody
June 8, 2006 at 1:47 pm
I agree with Pender’s disagreement.
The guy who said “I’d have to be newfie not to understand that” could’ve said “I’d have to be Newfoundlander not to understand that” – the label is irreverent. As Steve indicated, the guy was being derogatory against Newfoundlanders; I doubt he was thinking “I better use the word ‘newfie’ for this insult because people won’t get it if I use ‘Newfoundlander’”.
Are there terms for folks from other provinces? Nova Scotians called “bluenoses”? New Brunswickers called “Irvings”? I dunno. It’s not the “newfie” word that’s the problem; it’s the impression people have of Newfoundland in general. They’re all just jealous they don’t have their own nickname.
Jody
June 8, 2006 at 1:51 pm
> the label is irreverent.
I meant “irrelavant”, gosh darn it.
Steve
June 9, 2006 at 8:37 am
Jody: you were right the first time:
irreverent: showing lack of due respect or veneration;
Jody subconsciously agrees with me, but it’s cooler to agree with Pender.
Niall
June 9, 2006 at 10:25 am
i’ve been called a hick all my life, so what!?
Pender
June 9, 2006 at 2:58 pm
Niall, you’re a hick, but I swear if you cry about it this time it’ll be TWICE as bad next time.
I just came back from quebec, they’re a funny group of people (jerks). I was waiting for my order to be given to me in KFC in the airport and someone’s kid’s meal was ready. The guy behind the counter called “number 71.. anyone have number 71? HELLO? 71. KID’S MEAL. WHOEVER HAD ORDER 71 FOR THE KID’S MEAL, COME PICK IT UP”. The guy was getting very mad, VERY, VERY fast. Well the guy who ordered the kid’s meal was chatting to someone he just met in the airport and gave a hug to and was obviously involved in the conversation, he finally realized his number was up and went over and picked up his meal. Some other fine quebec citizen proceeding to yell at the guy to pay attention and to pick up his order (in french). The guy picking up the order just looked at him confused and walked away. It’s this immediate angry verbal abuse that really gives that province character.
It’s a cultural thing.
Nelly
June 13, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Hey Steve, you already know how I feel about the term. The first time I heard you say it, I was shocked because growing up in Ontario, I always understood the term to be derrogatory … and offensive. Even after you assured me that it was not strictly used in a derogatory manner, I still can’t bring myself to say it. It’s just wrong (in my humble opinion). It’s like calling a Quebecer a “frog” (derogatory for French) or a “pepsi” (derogatory but not sure why), or an Italian a “whop” (stands for “Without Papers” – derogatory insinuation that all Italians are illegal aliens), and so on.
Please don’t use it anymore