"raw recruit," 1892 in that spelling, popularized by Kipling's "Barrack-Room Ballads," of uncertain origin, perhaps from recruit, influenced by rook (n.1) in its secondary sense, suggesting "easy to cheat." Barrère ["A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant," 1890] has "Rookey (army), a recruit; from the black coat some of them wear," so perhaps directly from rook (n.1). Came into general use in American English during the Spanish-American War.
The rapid growth of a word from a single seed transplanted in a congenial soil is one of the curiosities of literature. Take a single instance. A few weeks ago there was not one American soldier in a thousand who knew there was such a word as "rookey." To-day there are few soldiers and ex-soldiers who have not substituted it for "raw recruit." ["The Midland Monthly," December 1898]
实用例句
1. I don't want to have another rookie to train.
我不想再训练新兵了。
来自柯林斯例句
2. These rookie cops don't know anything yet.
这些新警察什么都还不懂.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. Williams, the rookie, is really out for the gold.
威廉斯这位新手可是金牌的有力竞争者.
来自电影对白
4. A rookie n . policeman or trained teacher makes less than half that.
对于刚上任的警察或教师来说,月收入海不到100美元.
来自互联网
5. Verdict: He will make team and play very little as a rookie.
