A junior or novice member of a sports team, particularly in sailing or water sports, or informally, a beginner in any field.
Likely originating from sailing terminology in the late 19th or 20th century, possibly from 'ask and' or relating to one who 'asks' many questions as a beginner, though the exact origin is uncertain.
In sailing and crew communities, 'ascan' (short for 'ask can') is what you call someone so new they're still asking basic questions—it's team slang that reflects how sports communities create insider language to mark who's experienced!
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