General
tern
What does tern mean?
Clipped slang for a first-year resident (intern), the most junior doctor.
"Get the tern to write up the routine orders."
Origin
Clipping of 'intern.'
Frequently asked questions
What does tern mean in medical slang?
It's a clipped form of 'intern,' referring to a first-year resident, the most junior doctor on the team.
Where does the word come from?
It's simply a shortening of 'intern.'
Is it insulting?
It's casual staff slang, not particularly insulting, though it flags the person's junior status.
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