This was probably the most bizarre post I've seen, but I had to laugh. When I joined the Air Force, I was stationed at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska, spent 3 years there. When I first arrived, everybody was calling me a "cheechako". So, I asked WTF that was and found out that it meant I was a "tenderfoot", because I hadn't yet survived my first Alaskan winter, lol.
cheechako - A newcomer to Alaska or the Yukon. The term originally referred to Gold Rush newcomers; also used to describe someone who has never spent a winter in Alaska.
After I survived my first full winter, I guess I got "promoted" because they upgraded me to "sourdough". Once again, I inquired about the meaning and was basically told that sourdough meant I was now an "old hand", after surviving a full Alaskan winter.
The "Sourdough" Nickname
Origin: The term "sourdough" emerged during the
Klondike Gold Rush to distinguish new arrivals (
cheechakos) from experienced, established residents who had endured multiple Alaskan winters and relied on sourdough for sustenance.
Honorific Title: Today, calling someone a "sourdough" is a mark of pride, signifying resilience, longevity, and a deep connection to the state, much like the original prospectors who earned the title.
I wonder how Y.T. would have handled going to Alaska, being called a cheechako, then finding out it meant "tenderfoot", lol.
