"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 still considered derogatory by many 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.
Most jokes were originally created (in nearly identical form) to insult the intelligence of other groups such as the Irish, Polish or Belgians. For instance, the "Director of Polish Intelligence" becomes the "Director of Newfie Intelligence" with the rest of the remarks about this person's tasks completely unchanged. This same basic premise also serves as the basis for many blonde jokes.
Occasionally, Canadian place names are substituted into these old jokes. One claims someone driving from Newfoundland across Ontario to visit Toronto saw a highway sign saying "Toronto Left", so he turned around and went home. Another claims "Québec has declared war on Newfoundland. The canadiens were smart, they threw hand grenades at the newfies; the newfies were smarter, they pulled out the pins and threw the grenades back" or even "they've acquired five thousand septic tanks and as soon as they learn to drive them they're invading."
Many from Newfoundland and Labrador find the word and the jokes offensive, sometimes going as far as to quip "What's black and blue and floats in St. John's Harbour? A mainlander who told one joke too many."
Others adopt the term for themselves and turn the jokes around (for example by telling a joke in which a "Newfie" fools a Torontonian or a joke critical of some other region).
One joke claims that a Newfie who has had more than enough of Toronto life (with its pollution, traffic jams, high cost of living and countless other ills) saves a substantial amount money in order to be able to return to Newfoundland then offers $50 for a used car with no working reverse gear as "I don't intends on comin' back anyway..."
Another anecdote claims that Newfoundland rum lacked an official name until an American soldier during WWII tried a taste. The Newfoundlander drank the rum in one gulp, the American tried the same before issuing a painful scream which attracted much attention. An American sergeant asks "What the cripes was that ungodly screech?" to which the Newfoundlander replies "Da Screech? ‘Tis the rum, me son."
Newfoundland links
