Crossword Genius

Offer to get the length of a new chum (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tenderfoot

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'length of a new chum' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'offer to get the' is the wordplay.
'offer' becomes 'tender' (tender can mean to offer something).
'to get' becomes 'foo' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'the' becomes 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects).
'tender'+'foo'+'t'='TENDERFOOT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tenderfoot that I've seen before include "Greenhorn" , "Raw recruit" , "Rookie" , "one still finding her bearings" , "Newcomer, novice" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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