gremmie

Mildly derogatory term used to describe an inexperienced but enthusiastic young surfer; popular during the late '50s and '60s; derived from "gremlin," the invisible beings said to be responsible for mechanical failure, particularly in airplanes, when no other explanation is available. While "gremmie" can be used as a term of affection, in the early '60s it was also used to label a nonsurfing poser...