Canadians: Generic Canadian name: Maple-Sucker: Canadians: Refers to Canadian people and the assumption that they consume lots of maple syrup: Moosefucker: Canadians: Tom Green, a Canadian, mocked sexual contact with a moose on his television show. If youre concerned about that expanding gut of yours, many restaurants offer a healthier, vegetarian gravy substitute. This will help you sound more Canadian. I used to drive a Zed 28 car. states like pennsylvania, new york and maryland they pronounce water as Wo-der and in the southern states like florida , georgia and alabama we say Wa-ter even though its the same word Water. Either way, I hope you laugh and learn while reading this guide to 100+ Canadian slang words. the other thing small difference im canadian living in the US and people make fun of me for saying Im having a shower or Im gonna have a nap they only use taking for showers and naps. In Ontario we say ( use guys) meaning (you guys). And I believe my grandparents in kansas also used to call them that. Ah! Write by: . Tim Hortons is such an intrinsic part of Canada that weve built it into the dialogue. Whether youre visiting Toronto or exploring the Yukon, these colloquial terms are recognized everywhere. Our favourite holiday is Queen Victorias Birthday on May 24th. We now use it to refer to any energy bill. Interesting. Refers to the island itself and not Labrador. Americans called it Zee 28 and thats just weird. In MY Boy is dead, a moving poem by tour great WW1 poet H Smalley-Sarson, I read this line : THe day he got his Blue. Backpack = Soft bodied, the same or a bit larger than a knapsack. 2023 Readers Digest Magazines Ltd. - All rights reserved, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). I dont know if this is common elsewhere, but in Canada we celebrate our champagne birthday with extra fan fair. It quickly got out of hand, so here we are with 100+ Canadian phrases for you to learn and share! Glossary of Railroad Terminology or Slang. That is what they are made out of. Im guessing something about the coziness of a hoodie led to the name, but I couldnt find a good explanation. garbage disposal is called a garburator in Canada gutters are eavestroughs. yes, I think that Dante may have thought this was about words in general, which is ok with us. Tuque is the French spelling but the English have adopted Toque and even Touque. Kilometers is pretty long when you think about it. To use these services you will need a computer and a microphone. I was surprised to see the word Toilet used so much. It is needed because Alberta can be extremely cold in the winter. It comes from the gold rush days when people had to live through harsh winters. Whats the best way to book my Canada accommodations? Whats the Great White North like for a newcomer? Some of these words on the list seem a bit suspect, though. As the beaches are increasingly polluted with dogs and tourists and smartphone cameras, pools are getting to be even more popular than ever. Most people think Canadians speak a lot like our American neighbours, but the truth is, were a little weird up here in the Great White North. So, Ive got that going for me. Ah interesting. Most Americans just lines, Very true, we have definitely heard the term chesterfield a lot. It is, after all, a . Pencil Crayons coloured pencils (also only we spell colour with a u). Rucksack = Rugged pack for hiking and carrying equipment. Usually on a rigid frame. We used knapsack as well, but also used the other terms. , Does your grandmother call lunch dinner and dinner supper?. 12th grade is hard, said the American. Perhaps you could offer cross-cultural courses around the world for Canadian companies . F**k you, Jonesy, your life is so pathetic I get a charity tax break just by hanging around you! Toronto has started trying to co-opt it, but Vancouverites still hold on to the term. Awesome! So, dont say a-boot unless you want to get kicked by one. Means take it easy. Calgary, due to the stampede and its cattle history. Buy your own Canadian tuque on Amazon. You know? They are much like our lovehearts candy. I didnt realize that it was a Canadian thing. By submitting your information via this form, you agree to receive electronic communications from Cottage Life Media, a division of Blue Ant Media Solutions Inc., containing news, updates and promotions regarding cottage living and Cottage Life's products. Or do you want to come over for supper? The best way to learn and practice slang is to talk with a native Canadian. These are Canadas most unique restaurants. I agree wholeheartedly on all the above terms (toilet sounds so much dirtier than washroom! I am not sure if its Canadian slang or Not havent heard It elsewhere, the word is tad. and We called our washrooms therecomfort room! It refers to the liquor vendors store shortened to just the vendors here. Your champagne birthday is when you turn the same age as your birthdate. Some expressions dont carry over from province to province. It might be I go to the U of R. I think its fascinating how terms develop and change over time and across borders. They also refer to their islands and the island (Vancouver Island) differently depending on where they live in the province. _+t!BN]G^l.oH t&N$f +/\K6Z A]o~RfV>s o`Y{450tuUP"d=z$\:Mwr%RTGD! Id call it courting but its never as romantic or reserved. I regret nothing! The Western and Northern portions of Canada are vast, and there is much variation in the landscape and culture in British Columbia, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon Territory. This messed-up spatial awareness continues when we talk about going north or south. These are some of the most popular Canadian words and phrases used as slang. This cold region has unique slang with British, French, and indigenous influences. This is most often said by hockey dads from what I can tell. , Its like algebrawhy you gotta put numbers and letters together? Americans say About like it is A-Baow-T with a more open ah sound. HuffPost Canada. . A living room, family room, and den, are three different types of rooms. Its become part of our daily language. Theres a lto of word also that i hear all the time here, and not just in the US or elsewhere. By the way, Tim Hortons was founded by hockey legend Tim Horton. They didnt have Gortex then. Can someone explain to me the reason for the cultural fascination that affluent Qubcois have with wanting to have back yard swimming pools? Its a very old term that has mostly fallen out of fashion. (My Mom pronounced it VAN Klee-kill) Are these phrases familiar to anyone? Shoresy is one of the most popular characters in the show known for saying hilarious things. In 1998 the municipalities of East York, Etobicoke, North York, York, Scarborough, and the former Toronto merged to make what is now Toronto. I shared an office with a Canadian and my husband did consulting for a Canadian-owned mobile phone company. Midwesterners call in pop, East Coast/West Coast call it soda, and Southerners call in coke (i.e. I havent heard that one. Other popular swear words include os-tee (the communion wafer) and ka-lees (the cup from which you drink the holy wine). Now we know, ours are just better in Canada. Canada has free healthcare but its only for citizens! Ha! Example: "I've never snowboarded off a jump before, but I'm just gonna give'r!" Double-Double It means a coffee with two milks and two sugars, but can only be used at Tim Horton's. Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. However, Canada is a large country that houses a variety of cultures. Commonly used Canadian-English Slang and Phrases -To ace (something) - to do something really well, or perfectly ^I aced my exam this morning _ -a-game - your best effort/performance, used with 'to bring' ^Mike brought his a-game at basketball last night _ -All nighter - to pull an all nighter, to stay up very late or all night I pulled an all nighter Okay, so my question is some what related to this topic, but not exactly. Another idiom that confuses Canadians from other provinces than Ontario, is ordering Regular coffee (one cream, one sugar); in my experience, Ontario Tims locations seem to be the only ones that operate that way. It might seem a bit weird, but tah-bar-nac (the box where the Eucharist is kept) is a common swear word uttered in a fit of agitation. I dont think that I have ever heard the term washroom anywhere else except for Canada. Ive used it for years, but cant find it in any dictionary, so it must be ours. My friend asked me Whats that? And these 13 surprising things are actually madein Canada! Can often replace 'Pardon' or 'Excuse Me'. I didnt know this was a Canadian thing for a long time. Check out my Comprehensive Guide to Canadian Cuisine, Plan a Winter Weekend in Toronto with my itinerary, Head to cottage country to Discover Muskoka, Learn what its really like to live her with my 10 Pros and Cons to Living in Canada, Stuff yourself with my guide on Where to Eat in Toronto for All Budgets, Find out my 51 Favourite Things to do in Halifax, Think you know all there is to know about Canada? Its most used when referring to the Vancouver Canucks hockey team rather than individuals nowadays. 4 0 obj SOS I am translating WW1 poems by Canadians, soldiers or civilians . 2. Newfoundland. And that makes sense cuz you want a real big truck and got a real little d**k. , I see the muscle shirt came today. Being born in Alberta, Canada my parents often talked about Chinooks blowingin from the mountains and how nice it was. Deep fried pickles eh, that is one that I have not tried, it is amazing what you can learn from people visiting your own country. Some even combine words for super-swears: os-ti tah-bar-nac or ka-lees tah-bar-nac. However we do say About different from Americans. http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/6521/what-are-the-important-differences-between-canadian-and-american-usa-english, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/discover/section-13.asp, http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/slang/canadian-slang-by-region.html, http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/michelle-butterfield/canadian-prairies-words-slangs_b_4166204.html, http://www.strategiesinlanguagelearning.com/movies_to_learn_language/. 7. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. Did you know these 20 things were actually invented in Canada? By using our site, you agree to our. Twofer - Also called two-four, this term refers to a case of 24 beers. Whats not to love, eh? Even from Toronto, we refer to out west as everything west of us. Maybe it is only in Quebec, Are they? Daves dad worked for Hamilton Hydro. Among the plethora of ethnic insults that traffic in foodGermans as "krauts," say, or Irish people as "potato eaters""pepsi" deserves special mention. Ive seen more than one movie where American soldiers refer to kilometers as clicks. Otherwise, you can just say "please.". It can now be confused with the term joggers for baggy womens pants. Do they serve ice-cream? Another funny one a grader/back hoe. Always fun to hear about what is different in each country and area that they live in. I dispute this being a Canadian-only term I think its just fancier than what Americans usually use. Hi John, We call our dinner supper a lot as well. For exampleIt is very nice day out today eh? To which the other person will reply Yes it is. See how easy it is? This is a BC-specific term that means impressive or exceptional. The term university is limited to schools which offer four-year, degree programs. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Someone who tries just a little too hard, sucking up to an authority figure and showing off how much they know. Id been told I looked like the wreck of the Hesperus a couple of times too, although Id forgotten about that one until you reminded me. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. ), and will also say that Ive brought Poutine to Australia, and they dig it here. Two-four was a big one for me back in the day. For finding cheap Canadian flights, I recommendSkyscanner. History of American Slang Words. Vomit on your moms spaghetti, or whatever that talking singer says. It has no relation to their actual appearance. This foul term has the approximate weight of "holy sh*t" or "holy f*ck" in English. Larger places like Toronto have gained many slang nicknames over the years, some of which are starting to fade. I lived in the Philippines for 20 years. It is often used when stumbling into someone or wanting to get past and is widely used. In Quebec, it has become a very popular swear word used to express anger, annoyance or surprise. Even though Canada and the United States are both part of North America, Canadians still call residents of the United States Americans. They dont really have a slang term for their neighbors to the south. My wife and I are getting ready to move to Canada after leaving 5 years ago. Or brains. Serviettes are napkins. They change from province to province and city to city without much notice. We recommend our users to update the browser. 2. There you have it. I learned a lot from you. Grits are members of the Liberal party of Canada. They either crack you up or make you wonder how smart the guys can be. Let us know which one of these surprised you the most. They have no chocolate in them. Smarties were introduced by Rowntree of York in 1882. Watch the same movie several times. If you lose one in a lawn mowing accident or to frostbite, send it over to the Yukon and theyll put it to good use. If you tripped, you biffed it. Do you want to munch out with me tonight? We couldnt exactly call it a dollar bill anymore, and a dollar coin just didnt roll off of the tongue. Some diehard poutine fans might call mushroom or vegetable gravy sacrilege, but the only real Canadian insult is opting for boring old french fries when you can indulge in a true Canadian delicacy. Means go for it or help yourself, especially when referring to food. Does it refer to a diplma at the uned of University ? A Mickey is a small bottle of alcohol that can fit in your pocket. Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling. Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. Colorful Biker Slang. Oddly both terms mean the same thing: to seek a provider of alcohol. Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. This term comes from the reservations that our Indigenous people live on across the country. x\n9}7Gi[7eg"ag[+[YI~d_I+"o,Nob6.OO("3i2.OO%{<=xzrNdp7*rR\x{~`/;(/BG?lo'PNOYxi}l Qx?TCAOZ/umOd0= ~>NdgGL+zt})bZz,3YSEr 3/n*=MiZlr^)$z1}2h3],S4n&(1@6/s%$d.6^j.y^K9"sVKjb Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions This is what we Canadians call our Backpack or Rucksack. With a multicultural society centered around the simple things in lifeleisure, friendly competition, and politenessit's no coincidence these are reflected in the common tongue. This is the state of Washington, Above California. It's similar to the phrases "huh," "right?" and "what?" commonly used in the USA. I think I wrote about it in an old food post. These words are all interchangeable for underwear, think tight whities. Oh the numerous words we have for our winter supplies. They use bathrooms, and restrooms, I have seen water closet used around the world and The British love to say The Loo But I never see washroom. <>>> Serviette! When in the states, I was needing some elastics and we had quite a time trying to explain what an elastic is. Americans often mock them on television, treating them more like camp rangers, when in fact that do a lot of very difficult work. It comes from the French word depanneur which is the actual name for a convenience store. I recommend a Brita Water Bottle for long hikes and backcountry camping to stay safe and hydrated. Ive always loved language. I thought it was hilarious that toque is a ski cap in the States. BC has a lot of slang to refer to certain cities, often in a derogatory way. There I said it! Excellent suggestions! Hoser or hose-head is a slang term originating in Canada that is used to reference or imitate Canadians.. 50+ memorable Grinch quotes for people who absolutely hate Christmas. Even though all of our population is gathered towards the south of the country, theres still a lot of country there. Specifically, in Canada, Smarties are a version of the M&M. A couple of Canadians I met in Ireland last month used eh ALL the time, Im sorry, but I couldnt help but snicker! You asked about more slang. A (bad) hockey player who spends all her time on the bench, gathering dust. It's another term of endearment. Across Canada, we tend to think of our home as being the centre of the country. Great job! Theyll love it. They are changing to convenience stores, but in small town Alberta you will still see a Confectionary store. Many of the above I had forgotten, but they come flooding back. I heard Americans dont have a word for slush and dont use the word toboggan. Thanks! <> Now you know. Below are some of the best sayings from the show, including popular Letterkenny hockey quotes that you will definitely identify with. Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner, Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. not, sure if I read everything above, all good. 3. However, I sure have heard this in Burrrrtaa (Alberta)! British Columbia. vs den or family room, Oh yes, its a living room. We have Chinook winds in here in Alaska, though not so much here in Fairbanks. Toronto. Thanks for the input. It is in fact a real human toe thats been mummified or preserved. Yes In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. It refers to the bedrock in Vancouver that prevents basements and the insane housing prices that mean people need to rent. Do you say supper? Theyre most common in the Prairies, though Saskatchewan and Alberta debate the i vs. o. Hi Dante, I dont know if these guys are commenting here anymore, but this is a blog about Canadian things. Related to "Pepper". . I just saw a comment on digg and they are soooo right. Same with merry, Mary, and marry. And of course, when the two-dollar coin came out with a picture of a Polar Bear on it we called it a Bearie or a Polie right? Letterkenny quotes will remind any lover of the Canadian comedy series why they watch the show in the first place. One fellow was described as a Canadian Baby, maybe a typical personal crack, not the photography company which apparently started in 1965. I was told by an Aussie that they never correct us because they can figure out what we mean, but to them its a toilet. But we do call ZZ Top Zee Zee Top, that would just be wrong to change their name. Your mom just liked my Instagram post from 2 years ago in Puerto Vallarta. I remember chesterfield from my early childhood in the 70s. Getty Images 1 / 50 Caesar As a Brit. Just to confuse the issue further, in America they have candies called Smarties, but they are what we call Rockets in Canada those sourish compressed sugar discs that come in rolls. Wheeling means to be in the early stages of dating someone. For hostels, I use Hostel World. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. So out east is the Maritimes from Ontario. Ive always loved them because it lets me sample a bunch of doughnut flavours when Im too indecisive to pick one. So, come lah, come visit Malaysia and see for yourself. That would be weird! Seemy Disclosure Policyfor more information. A ski cap? Usually, its not used to refer to a physical fight, but that varies. If youre from abroad, read on to see the crazy sayings we use and think are normal! Ive found them most common in the Prairies although the Maritimes was full of them in Fall. Our Sasquatch is said to be in British Columbia. We dont have a lot of free WIFI in Canada, so youll need your phone for maps. Many affluent Canadians love their swimming pools. Jurons, as Qubecois swears and insults are called, are used to add color to everyday conversations. Posts must be Canadian insults. Actually, many parts of Canada can get extremely warm summers that mimic tropical heat. Theres happiness calling my name from the bottom of a bottle of Puppers. If someone says something entertaining, youd respond with jokes. I cant say Ive heard the phrase while I lived in the US west coast. , Thanks Robert! Id like to do one just for Newfoundland words. One win. Hi Virey, I am not sure what that means, Id have to see more of the poem in context. We sometimes shorten it to uni. .-= Candices last blog ..Lend me your ears. Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake helped get this horrible fashion choice into the mainstream, but it continues to be a thing in Canada. I wont tell anyone. Hopefully that all made sense. Hahaha. Ok, I am kidding, it doesnt make sense at all. Its been pretty cold in Scotland but I hear its nothing compared to Edmontons weather. . It's similar to ' white trash ,' poor people in the USA. For example, I watch a handful of people who start off their videos by saying, Hey guys! You look like a 12-year-old Dutch girl. It can be used for assignments, your beer, or anything else youre trying to finish. I have friends in Ukraine who use college to mean they have a two-year (Associate) degree and university to mean they have a four-year (Bachelor) degree I think thats the norm for the FSU counties. I love this post! I don't think I've ever used the word myself, but "chesterfield" for couch. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Although it is a manufactured made up word, it is Canada in a nutshell. Ive hoovered schneef off an awake cows t**t. You knew your pal had come into money when he started throwing out perfectly good pistachios like he was above cracking em open with a box cutter like the rest of us. Freezies are what Americans call ice pops, freeze pops or otter pops. . Usually used for driving directions. We drove from England to Mongolia with two Americans and they had never heard of the term clicks. There are many online services that are dedicated to helping language learners find native speakers to talk with. Im from Malaysia but I studied and live in Washington A.C. We call them snowbirds since they seem to migrate like birds. Hopefully that is a sign that we are moving away from this negative language and moving towards more positive, inclusive terms that are fun for all like bunnyhug! When I was in the southern US and said pilon, no one knew what I meant. Quebec French profanities, [1] known as sacres (singular: sacre; French: sacrer, "to consecrate"), are words and expressions related to Catholicism and its liturgy that are used as strong profanities in Quebec French (the main variety of Canadian French) and in Acadian French (spoken in Maritime Provinces, east of Quebec, and a small portion of