tenderfoot

[ ten-der-foot ]

noun

, plural ten·der·foots, ten·der·feet [ten, -der-feet].

1. a raw, inexperienced person; novice.
2. a newcomer to the ranching and mining regions of the western U.S., unused to hardships.
3. one in the lowest rank of the Boy Scouts of America or Girl Scouts of America.

tenderfoot

/ ˈtɛndəˌfʊt /

noun

1. a newcomer, esp to the mines or ranches of the southwestern US
2. (formerly) a beginner in the Scouts or Guides

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenderfoot¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; tender ¹ + foot

Example Sentences

Grant that Boehner is a foreign-policy tenderfoot after two decades of kissing the hem of the domestic Abramoffs.

From The Daily Beast

"Guess I ambles forth and sees what fer a tenderfoot it is," replied Billy, hastening from behind the bar.

From Project Gutenberg

Once a tenderfoot came through in the fall of the year, simply for the love of adventure.

From Project Gutenberg

The tenderfoot carried two short-barrelled Colt's revolvers, one of which he presented directly at Black Hank.

From Project Gutenberg

Three hours later Billy and the sobered tenderfoot pulled into Deadwood.

From Project Gutenberg

He made the three hours of Billy and the tenderfoot in a little over an hour, because it was mostly down hill.

From Project Gutenberg