Learn English – Is “fresher” really a “proper” English word

etymologyis-it-a-wordslangterminology

I see a lot of folks on Stackoverflow using fresher when describing themselves as beginners at any given topic.

I have never really heard of "fresher" as a synonym for beginner. I know "freshman" as a term used at American schools, but where does "fresher" come from? Where is it used frequently, and is it considered proper language, or more of a slang expression?

Best Answer

According to dictionary.com, the term "fresher" is British slang for a freshman. I assume that's why they're using it to describe themselves as beginners.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fresher