In recent years, "first year" has gained popularity as a result of its more descriptive name and gender-neutral language. However, freshman is commonly in use as a US English idiomatic term to describe a beginner or novice, someone who is naive, a first effort, instance, or a student in the first year of study (generally referring to high school or university study). New members of Congress in their first term are referred to as freshman senators or freshman congressman to suggest their lack of experience at their new position, no matter how experienced they were in previous business or government positions.