Johnny-come-lately

American  

[jon-ee-kuhm-leyt-lee] / ˈdʒɒn iˌkʌmˈleɪt li /

Or Johnnie-come-lately

noun

plural

Johnny-come-latelies, Johnnies-come-lately

1. a late arrival or participant; newcomer.

   the Johnny-come-latelies producing space-war films after the trend had ended.

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Johnny-come-lately British  

noun

1. a brash newcomer, novice, or recruit

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Johnny-come-lately Idioms  

1. A newcomer, as in She may be a Johnny-come-lately on the board, but she's doing a fine job with publicity. [1830s]

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Etymology

Origin of Johnny-come-lately

First recorded in 1825–35; from the proper name Johnny

Example Sentences

Given he’s been a megawatt star for more than half a century, it’s odd to think that Rod Stewart has opinions on anything as Johnny-come-lately as the Department of Government Efficiency.

From Salon

A bunch of Johnny-come-lately types.

From Seattle Times

Never mind that, as Texas Monthly reported, the spiders are thought to have occupied their habitat since “before the last ice age,” which one might think had given them superior rights to the property than those johnny-come-lately Yearwoods.

From Los Angeles Times

“King salmon is a Johnny-come-lately that came into this race only after king crab left—died.”

From Slate

“This is a sport that just Johnny-come-lately became mainstream.... Having the UFC, full stop, will give us tremendous firepower.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beginner
• immigrant
• neophyte
• novice
• rookie