gremmie

[ grem-ee ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a novice surfer or one with poor form.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gremmie¹

First recorded in 1960–65; grem(lin) + -ie

Example Sentences

In the 1970s the Aussie slang word �grommet� usurped the American 1950s/1960s slang word �gremmie,� which is the same thing: �an insolent, hyperenthusiastic and frequently underfoot young surfer,� as described by Matt Warshaw in his The Encyclopedia of Surfing.

From Time Magazine Archive

So where did �gremmie� come from?

From Time Magazine Archive

So, like so much of surfing�s casual vernacular, the word �gremlin� eventually smoothed to �gremmie,� and once the hipness of Australian arrived on American shores, �gremmie� became �grommet,� lasting to the present day.

From Time Magazine Archive

We hear their complaints, but we also know their interests and aspirations,� says Copeland, whose face changes personality several times in a conversation, from sharp, no-nonsense garment guru to surf-stoked gremmie or astute but empathetic shopkeeper.

From Time Magazine Archive