DCHP-2

Newfie COD-2 lists the term without any labels DCHP-2 (October 2016)

• 1 adj.

  pertaining to Newfoundland.

  Type: 1. Origin — The adjectival meaning is likely the oldest usage, but it was transferred to things and living creatures from Newfoundland early on, such as the puppy referred to in the 1872 quotation.

• 2 n. — Slang, informal, dated

  Newfoundland.

  Type: 1. Origin — It seems that this meaning is (was) used by mainlanders (see mainland, meaning 1a), not by Newfoundlanders themselves. It is likely declining in frequency, which can be seen in the few attestations we were able to find, most notably not since 1988. This clipping Newfoundland > Newfie seems have originated in Canada.

  See also: mainland (meaning 1a)  

• 3 n. — Ethnicities, usually derogatory when used by outsiders

  a native or resident of Newfoundland.

  Type: 5. Frequency — This is the most common meaning today, used by both Newfoundlanders and mainlanders. In the North American context, the term is most frequent in Canada (see Chart 1). In South Africa (.za) and New Zealand (.nz), the term refers exclusively to the Newfoundland dog breed.
  However, when used by mainlanders, Newfie acquires quite negative connotations (see, e.g. Newfie joke), which is why we recommend non-Newfoundlanders use the unclipped version: Newfoundlander (see also the 2007 quotation). See Chart 2, which shows that Prince Edward Islanders and Nova Scotians use the term almost three times as much as Newfoundlanders themselves.

  See also: Newfie joke