freshperson

English

Etymology

fresh +‎ person

Noun

freshperson (plural freshpersons or freshpeople)

1. (sometimes humorous) A freshman of any gender.
   • 1991 October 2, Barry Deutsch, Cast of Thousands‎^[1] (comic), University of Massachusetts Amherst:

     A junior. Periodically she terrorizes some freshperson, then hides in her room and won't come out till someone promises her she has free will.

Usage notes

• Some institutions have adopted this term because it sounds more gender-neutral. It may, though, be perceived as humorously oversensitive, and is sometimes used jocularly.