cheechako

or che·cha·ko, chee·cha·co

[ chee-chah-koh ]

noun

, Informal.

, plural chee·cha·kos.

1. (in Alaska and Northern Canada) a tenderfoot; greenhorn; newcomer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cheechako¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; from Chinook Jargon; chee “just now, new” from Lower Chinook čxi “straightway” + chako “come” from Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) čokwa· “come!” (imperative particle)

Example Sentences

The ferry bar is a place where the pipeline welder and legislative lawyer talk, where a cheechako can meet and get to know someone born and raised in Angoon.

From Washington Times

If he’s enthusiastic about Alaska life, he’s also admittedly a bit of a cheechako.

From Washington Times

Ballads of a Cheechako. 12th Impression.

From Project Gutenberg

Cheechako is not Eskimo for "tenderfoot."

From Time Magazine Archive

After repeating his first success with Ballads of a Cheechako and a popular novel of the Gold Rush, The Trail of '98, he was free to live and wander as he liked.

From Time Magazine Archive