Pierre the Great Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 Alberta removes restriction and approves "NEWFIE" licence plate CP EDMONTON (CP) - Someone in Alberta will soon be driving around with a specially ordered licence plate that reads "NEWFIE" - but it took an appeal to get the slang term for Newfoundlander approved. Government spokesman Eoin Kenny says that for more than two decades, the term Newfie was on a list of restricted words that could not appear on licence plates. Kenny says the word Newfie was once considered to be a derogatory term as thousands of Newfoundlanders streamed into Alberta, many taking jobs in the oilsands region. But he says Newfie is now recognized more as a term of endearment or a term of familiarity, so it's been lifted from the restricted list. Someone has already applied for "NEWFIE" after paying the required extra fee for a personalized licence plate. Kenny says the director of motor vehicles still has the right to reject any request for a personalized plate for any reason, especially if the word is a profanity or ethnic slur. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/14092006/2/kodd...ence-plate.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think this is a mistake. Granted only one person most likely will have it, but in general by doing this you're telling the general public that calling someone a newfie is okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonus Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 half my family is from newfoundland... its not that big a deal... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre the Great Posted September 15, 2006 Author Share Posted September 15, 2006 Oh cool. Simonus, what part? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revvvrob Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 I think this is a mistake. Granted only one person most likely will have it, but in general by doing this you're telling the general public that calling someone a newfie is okay. i've never heard a newfie complain about being called a newfie. in fact - generally, the refer to themselves as newfie's (my father, for example). key to whether it is an insult or term of familiarity is the tone in which it is communicated. only the speaker can know for sure what he/she means by saying 'newfie' newfie - as in - from Newfoundland or newfie - as in - stupid islander, why don't you take you and your stinkin' fish back where you came from personally - cuz of my family connection to Newfoundland - i never used to think of it as an insult - until i heard it used in a way that showed it was clearly not always a term of endearment. good move lifting the ban Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanpuck33 Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 It sounds like "newfy" is a lot like the word "######." That word is fine when used by black people, but derogatory when used by other races. Sounds like newfy is almost the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortcat1 Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 half my family is from newfoundland... its not that big a deal... Amen, simonus, amen! :king: :hlogo: :king: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 Hahaha, sweet. I'll be on the lookout for those. I've never thought of newfie as a derogatory term, it's about as derogatory as someone calling me a Dutchie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revvvrob Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 It sounds like "newfy" is a lot like the word "######." That word is fine when used by black people, but derogatory when used by other races. Sounds like newfy is almost the same way. newfy isn't on the level of ###### i have a book - published in St.John's NFLD htat is a collection of Newfie Jokes. no way do i go down south to purchase a collection of ###### Jokes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTH Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 It sounds like "newfy" is a lot like the word "######." That word is fine when used by black people, but derogatory when used by other races. Sounds like newfy is almost the same way. Exactly what I was going to say. If the guy has any newfy blood in him than it's 100% fine. If not, then it's up to how offended Newfoundlanders (is that the correct term?) get when you call them "newfies" - and that is something I have no idea about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 Exactly what I was going to say. If the guy has any newfy blood in him than it's 100% fine. If not, then it's up to how offended Newfoundlanders (is that the correct term?) get when you call them "newfies" - and that is something I have no idea about. ...What? The two terms are nowhere near the same level. Newfies don't care at all, you're just talking to people who are INCREDIBLY uptight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 newfie is more like frenchie or dutchie.. just a nickname Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonus Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 Oh cool. Simonus, what part? Bell Island. Newfie isn't that big a deal... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanpuck33 Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 newfy isn't on the level of ###### I'm speaking on experience from HW. I recall a situation a few (maybe 6?) months ago where a member got really ticked when beckham called him a newfy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre the Great Posted September 16, 2006 Author Share Posted September 16, 2006 I've been called a nazi before for being german. Then I tell them my grandparents were in concentration camps and they still don't care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 I'm speaking on experience from HW. I recall a situation a few (maybe 6?) months ago where a member got really ticked when beckham called him a newfy. Found it http://forums.habsworld.net/index.php?s=&a...ost&p=28654 The member was kaos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre the Great Posted September 16, 2006 Author Share Posted September 16, 2006 now that was derogatory. Whenever someone says "that (insert slang) (insert name)" is derogatory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobRock Posted September 17, 2006 Share Posted September 17, 2006 Being the first person to post on this topic who is actually in Newfoundland, I can tell you that to many people here, Newfie is an insult, always will be an insult, and the word was coined to be an insult. It came from US servicemen who were stationed in Argentia pre-Confederation. It may be a term of endearment to tourists, but it's as likely to get a look of scorn as a laugh. It still sounds like we're being talked down to and considered second-class citizens, especially in our own province. Personally, if it came from someone I knew and was friends with, it probably would not bother me as much as if it came from someone I was less familiar with. It would depend upon the situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre the Great Posted September 17, 2006 Author Share Posted September 17, 2006 I'll email Rex Murphy and see what he thinks about the word 'newfie' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre the Great Posted September 17, 2006 Author Share Posted September 17, 2006 I don' t think Mr. Murphy likes email. So I emailed the editor of the Globe and Mail about the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_Habs_Fan Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 newfie is more like frenchie or dutchie.. just a nickname Yeah wot's the big fuzz. People nowadays are very uptight, nothing can be said or they climb up some tree or something. I think people need to relax and worry about real things, real problems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 I'll email Rex Murphy and see what he thinks about the word 'newfie' I love Rex Murphy and his segments on the CBC news! I would really like to know what he thinks of the issue. Were I work in the summer there are about 5 or 6 people who are native of Newfoundland and have become close to be over the years so I would have to say that I have called them newfies and it is not seen as derogatory but in fact as a term of endearment. On the other hand I believe without a shadow of a doubt that it can still be offensive. If I was not close to someone who was from Newfoundland I would not utter this word to them in general conversation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre the Great Posted September 18, 2006 Author Share Posted September 18, 2006 My guy Rex doesn't apparently believe in email. He doesn't have a Globe and Mail email and he doesn't have a CBC email unless you want to email cross country check up but I doubt he could reply to that since its more of a question type response. Come on Rex join the 21st Century!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beliveau1 Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 (edited) I know several people from 'the Rock' and none of them are insulted by the term Newfie..... Far too easy going to get uptight over something that trivial. In fact they usually introduce themselves to someone as being a Newfie! As for ###### - man that is just a despicable & revolting term that has its' roots in all the wrong reasons. It is undoubtedly a derogatory and inflammatory comment that is only meant as an insult. Edited September 18, 2006 by beliveau1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre the Great Posted September 18, 2006 Author Share Posted September 18, 2006 Holy Crap! He's going to respond! got an email back: I have directed your note to Rex's editor, who will pass it along. Judith McGill Executive Assistant to the Editor-in-chief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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