"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.
