Ha! Fun article but many manyof the claims in the comments are not solely Canadian. Deke comes from the hockey move of faking to maneuver around an opponent. I find a lot of this familiar. Toonie (as I prefer to spell it) comes from Loonie. Some women enjoy the term and self-identify as puck bunnies (especially wives of famous hockey players). This messed-up spatial awareness continues when we talk about going north or south. You have probably heard the following phrases if you are a regular. Its confusing to newcomers, especially if English isnt your first language. It is, after all, a . Did ya get a tracking number? They dont have dill pickle, ketchup and all dressed chips in other countries?? Ah yes, I remember the confectionary store. Or shot glasses at Spencers that have the phrase legalize eating *ss printed on them but Spencers has always been a rude, greasy-looking store, anyway. , If you have a problem with the majestic Canadian Goose, then you have a problem with me. If you're thirsty for more, a mickey is a small (usually 375ml) flask-shaped bottle of liquor, while the lesser-used twenty sixer is a larger (750ml) bottle. Canadian English military slang. The thing about zed and zee is it makes more sense to pronounce it zee when singing the alphabet song, otherwise it sounds ridiculous. Habs fans are everywhere and theres nothing funny about the most storied team in NHL history. 'a#Mm1U%UNa xR/P?lpfn[yVSsHoB*i{?'%88? Im going out in the yard to talk to Ellen but well only bat the fat for a few minutes. Here are a few of the staple Canadian slang words used daily. I served in the US military and we use clicks for two things: kilometers and rifle scopes (like, increase your MOA a half click). See you next time and happy Canada day, eh? 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. , Buddy, you couldnt wheel a f**kin tire down a hill. I didnt know this was a Canadian thing for a long time. (This applies to most provinces, but not Quebec, which has a slightly different school system. 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. The 30 Best Things to do in Niagara Falls in 2023, 38 Best Things to do in Jasper Canada in 2023, Where to Stay in Vancouver Best Areas to Stay in 2023. More specifically, it is a coffee with a double shot of cream and sugar. Our humidex, short for humidity index, is how Canadian meteorologists determine how hot it feels outside. %PDF-1.5 I rest my case. , F**k you, Shoresy, youre a terrible fu**in ref! Letterkenny quotes will remind any lover of the Canadian comedy series why they watch the show in the first place. Whats not to love, eh? You know, the usually orange cone things used for construction and sports. And that is why everyone wore leather in Alberta. Maybe its just having to make every second of summer count because winter is so brutal? [1] [2] By the 1850s, the spelling with a "C" became predominant. From the Ukranian word for underwear "gatky". Its basically two loonies, so we came up with toonie. This is the state of Washington, Above California. I think Ill head over to one today to get myself some sasparilla:). Although its very possible that young people dont use it anymore, when I was growing up in virginia, we always called them the funnies. Thats when I realized that Canadians are strange. So Im Canadian as well, Ontario raised. It's similar to the phrases "huh," "right?" and "what?" commonly used in the USA. All examples can be found pretty much anywhere in America. The accent here is very distinctive, and found nowhere else in Canada. Andy, you are so right about the Buttertarts. Its lovely. Kraft Dinner macaroni and cheese. As cute and quaint as it might sound, the Canadian accent sounds nothing at all like how actual Canadians speak. . Emjoying your blog, thanks. Keener. Fly means something is over the top or extravagant. Anyone from Nova Scotia. The following is a list of colloquial terms and expressions used in the Canadian Armed Forces . Yes! If only Id known I was mimicking Canadians, I could have had a much happier childhood. They also refer to their islands and the island (Vancouver Island) differently depending on where they live in the province. Essentially, a Sasquatch is a large, hairy figure in the woods that has a lot of lore surrounding it. 12th grade is hard, said the American. , F**k you, Jonesy! Its not that Quebecers are prudes or dislike foul language, per se, its just that they happen to have their own heavenly style of swearing, which involves cursing sacred items of the Catholic Church. I now use the term Backpack more often but I havent been able to say the term Rucksack, it is just odd to me. Note: this is not to be confused with May two-four (24) weekend, which is a holiday in Canada. We actually use this term a lot in Canada. 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 By the great horned spoon, youve grown so tall! Usually used for driving directions. I am thinking that perhaps it is a uniform? Yes, but only if you live north of Hwy. No Canadian party is complete without it. And I love to converse with my college mates from up north British Columbia and Alberta, just to listen to them use the eh word. Excellent additions and very accurate. Your living area is above the first floor. Not a common term in Southern Ontario. You can have the alcohol of your choice, drink it fast or slow, but your lips must touch the toe. Much like a puck bunny, buckle bunny is a derogatory term for a woman who follows rodeos. We call it pop in the Detroit area of Michigan. Also, b'y (as in "I's the b'y that catches the fish and brings them home to Liza"). I recommend a Brita Water Bottle for long hikes and backcountry camping to stay safe and hydrated. I have lived in Ontario, BC and presently Alberta and I never hear people say where is the toilet, its usually washroom or bathroom. There are so many more Canadina expressions that I couldnt fit into the post. Grits are members of the Liberal party of Canada. I love that we use two-four when buying beer, it is just so Canadian. Its a lot more fun when youre of legal drinking age. The above Letterkenny quotes capture the nature of this very popular Canadian show. Thats cool Mel, I didnt realize that it was called pop in Kansas. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. This is our most popular Canadian sayingthat we receive the most flack about from the rest of the world. This comes from the famous Blue Nose ship that used to fish and race in Nova Scotia. "Eh." Everyone always makes fun of us. It is in fact a real human toe thats been mummified or preserved. If you dont know how beer is supposed to taste, please keep your comments to yourself. ]`;b^28!Hq4K.\D(?I9}f3Mxy%}[82-h~@+a9JX >{Fv/0F.Lo+0pIXzf(blDwu/0@AC CG;*kP&-tv#@T 7'hkq*n/qxYEQv\U]H^R\]w{KDo9Tn5'b,. How do you pronounce by? Memorable Criminal Minds quotes fans of the show will recognise. Chesterfield, that is a good one, I forgot about that one. Anything other than "Sorry" when you bump into someone. Or brains. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The hat is an "ushanka" and the beer from the US. When Canadians use the word Poke it means just that. It doesnt matter where you are, thats the middle. Or maybe Canadian influence is just starting to spread? A Molson Muscle refers to a beer belly, typically acquired by drinking too much Molson beer. For exampleIt is very nice day out today eh? To which the other person will reply Yes it is. See how easy it is? I dont think that I have ever heard the term washroom anywhere else except for Canada. In fact I hear that more often than washroom. But when an American pronounces those words, there is a huge difference. Timbits are essentially a doughnut hole (as Americans would know them). Canadians have a lot of interesting mannerisms, but not all are technically slang. I had no idea what this meant until I was older. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Unless youre actually trying to deliver a Canadian insult, theres only one thing you say when someone bumps into you, and thats Sorry. The classic apology can mean anything from sincere acknowledgement of a mistake to passive aggressive annoyance. No, we dont say aboot. Over the years, people have started using the term to refer to Big Foot as well, but hes supposed to be his own thing. its so cool looking at how different we use slang :) over here in england the younger generation calls them traffic cones and the older generation call them pilons, reading your blog has been really interesting! im fluent in English & french. Just a tad, you you like some dessert? Nova Scotian slang for someone who is sketchy or greasy. Oh, I hope he got a tracking number. How a Soft Drink Became Quebec's Homegrown Insult. As in, that car got up to 100 clicks.. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. Im Canadain and shes merican. For example, how Canadians use "keener" is defined by the dictionary as, "A person, especially a student, who is extremely or excessively eager, zealous, or enthusiastic.". . , Seeing as this is most certainly a one-off event and not a tradition that also falls on some made-up holiday that I couldnt give a cats qu**f about, Im out. Practicing Canadian Slang Download Article 1 Find a language buddy online. To help keep track of where these Canadian slang terms come from, Ill be grouping them by their location. , Call me a cake, cause Ill go straight to your a** cowboy. Cant figure out what it is in the South, but how would you pick up snow anyways without a back-hoe? In Quebec, it has become a very popular swear word used to express anger, annoyance or surprise. If you want to learn Australian curse words, read on. our Beloved Smarties, how could you Shannon??? Much like it sounds, tof means something is tough or difficult. Its just what we call km. Finally they said Why do you say clicks we replied I dont know. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Oddly both terms mean the same thing: to seek a provider of alcohol. Its most used when referring to the Vancouver Canucks hockey team rather than individuals nowadays. Thanks for the imput! We say zed, we have smarties, knapsacks (though back pack is probably more common) and chocolate bars. 4 0 obj Now it mostly refers to the Montreal Canadien hockey team. The term "college" typically only refers to one or two-year program community colleges. Were definitely living room people. lol. As with all slang, and especially that of nationality, . Fun fact: KD is our most consumed product in Canada, even beating out maple syrup! Jurons, as Qubecois swears and insults are called, are used to add color to everyday conversations. Thanks! For the record, I grew up in Washington, D.C., and called a backpack a knapsack. Well, if you are a regular fan of the show, you probably are conversant with Letterkenny slang. While I know it is used in at least Ontario (where I have family), it originated in Detroit, where Im from. Used as a negative, it basically means "idiot." When used positively, it's a phrase of light endearment. Along with learning slang words used by all Canadians, try picking up some regional slang, like takitish, which is used by Central Canadians to say see you later. To learn more, like how to use online resources to practice Canadian slang, read on! One more a crummy. In the US, what they call Smarties, we call Rockets. In Saskatchewan, people call hoodies bunnyhugs. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. It implies that shes only there for the cowboys, which isnt always the case. A Chinook is quite amazing actually. I think all we say is would you like to go out to dinner? I dont know two-six, what is it used for. Ive never actually heard someone say it in real life but that might be because American TV ruined it for us. You are so right. For Paint Protection Film quotes, please include a picture of your vehicle in an e-mail with the Year, Make and Model and indicate which areas of coverage you would like to receive. Soda is what others call it, Canadians call it pop. I recommend World Nomads starting at just $5 a day! Love it! A (bad) hockey player who spends all her time on the bench, gathering dust. Tell us some words unique to your country, we want to hear them. Huh? Refers to the island itself and not Labrador. Indeed, I think there ought to be a law against Canadian broadcasters ever saying zee! This is both a slang and a trend among Canadian men. Canadian slang isn't as obvious as other country's. We use the terms so simply that people barely register them. Actually, bi would be the best example, hahaha. Ok, I am kidding, it doesnt make sense at all. Very funny. Where I grew up, the kids played Hide and Go, not Hide and Seek. Wed use it asheading to the vendors, want anything? For the Maritimes, the rest of the country is out west. Yall going to lunch, eh. However, Canada is a large country that houses a variety of cultures. Can you think of any other Canadian sayingsthat are unique to your region or the country? Likely one of the first slang terms you'll encounter when you're new to Montreal, a "dep"short for dpanneur, the French term for repairman or troubleshooteris a convenience store for everyday. The original name of Ottawa and now a common nickname. But we do call ZZ Top Zee Zee Top, that would just be wrong to change their name. We call them freezies which to me makes the most sense since you freeze them and they arent fully popsicles. Its Hydro. I went my entire childhood and a large portion of my adult life not realizing that this was a word only used in Canada. What about the old Zed and Zee. The GTA stands for the Greater Toronto Area. If people have a housecoat, its often nicer than your simple plush bathrobe. Its not that we cant take the criticism or that our taste buds are numbed by years of drinking moose urine, as the Americans like to call it, its simply that we dont understand why a nation of light beer guzzlers think they have the right to insult Canadian beer (or German, Polish, British or Japanese beer, for that matter). Ive always loved language. It comes from the French word depanneur which is the actual name for a convenience store. That would be giving someone his or her "due.". I didnt realize that we are the only people in the world that call their electricity Hydro. Also: Canuck though the term will probably be more of how others call us. A nickname for Halifax, Nova Scotia. Its a less popular term nowadays, but you will still hear Canadians saying it. Funny Cowboy Sayings. Ive certainly been greeted with baffled expressions anytime I slip up and say that abroad. This guide to over 100 Canadian slang words initially started out as 20 words, but I kept remembering other terms from my friends and travels around the country. For example, you can use it when something is incredulous. If you are trying to learn a few adult Canadian slang words, then this would be a great show to catch every time it airs. When I was in the southern US and said pilon, no one knew what I meant. 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. If youre from Canada, I think its important to learn these Canadian terms to know more about our national identity. A living room, family room, and den, are three different types of rooms. Hey guys! Tuque (it can also be spelled toque) I watched Canadian icons Bob and Doug Mackenzie as a kid wearing their tuques telling each other to Take Off Eh and I never thought anything of it. 280 ladies -Sailors serving on Iroquois Class Destroyers (280,281,282,283 Hull numbers) (Ladies due to the 280s being the first ships not to have urinals) 5 by 5 Loud and clear, everything is working 100% (only . Everyone in Canada knows this, which is why its so frustrating when people around the world dont seem to realize that our home isnt simply the 51st state of the U.S. Their confusion is somewhat understandable: Canada and the U.S. are such strong allies and many Canadian celebrities hop the border to find success in Hollywood. In the US, college and university can mean the same thing since a university is a universe of colleges. However, going south is a whole other thing. Its just much more succinct and over the years its become a part of our national identity. . 1 for Canada! .-= Candices last blog ..Lend me your ears. I wrote a bit of a write up about you two on my blog as well, along with a link to this post. 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? Accents and slang develop differently in each city and province, creating a great tapestry of Canadian dialects. Something tells me that they just dont make them as well as they do here:-) I do love M&Ms too. Once of the worst Canadian insults? 4) Hella great place." Northern slang for frozen whale skin and blubber. Soobviously a Loonie would be the next choice right? maybe schoolbooks. Ive seen more than one movie where American soldiers refer to kilometers as clicks. Canada has its own version of M&M. And what we call colleges are their community colleges. Maybe Some American companies work in Canada, but many will not. . Canadians do pronounce the R in Pork. If youre from abroad, read on to see the crazy sayings we use and think are normal! I will point out that, while people in Alberta do not say aboot, people in eastern Canada do. My grandma also calls her sofa a Davenport. Whether youre visiting Toronto or exploring the Yukon, these colloquial terms are recognized everywhere. Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. Long story short, Pop is not just a Canadian phenomena. See coming into force provision and notes, where applicable. Having worked in NYC, I was surprised how many unique Canadian words and references exist. If you are a regular who watches this series, then certain phrases from the show will not shock you. To Canadians a backpack is often called a knapsack. My North Carolinan brother in law calls a toque a toboggan (pronounced tow-boggan) and it cracks up up every time. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Instead of saying Lets go!, we say lets go lah. Parkette = Park , In French! 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. I use all of those except for take off. If inviting someone to come dine with you, whats the funniest way to say it Canadian, I have no idea about that one. Here, a recent Canadian immigrant shares what he wishes hed known before moving to Canada. 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. So, come lah, come visit Malaysia and see for yourself. A two-four is a 24 (2 and 4) pack of beer. You may have to pay to find a Canadian language partner. Kitty-corner refers to something diagonally across the street from you. F**k you, Jonesy, your life is so pathetic I get a charity tax break just by hanging around you! Starlight, star bright, why the f**k you got earrings on? Quebec is the only place in North America where Pepsi has traditionally outsold Coke. A half-sack of beer is half a dozen. 15 Colorful Canadian Slang Terms. And I agree, we do kick ass dont we:-), A two-six is 26 ounces of hard liquor, an allophone is a resident whose first language is not English or French and a coulee is a valley. Boy, its a newphie term for boys. Tell the bys Im cooking dinner. Even our swearing is tamer we typically only swear if were angry (or drunk), and the only people in my eastern Canadian home who ever swear around minors are bitter old curmudgeons and weird jerks on the public transit. To understand Canadian slang, you'll need to learn phrases used across the country such as "Eh?" No one can deny the magical relationship between french fries and ketchup. Nowadays, weve become properly American-ized and call then bathrobes or robes. I wont tell anyone. Other popular swear words include os-tee (the communion wafer) and ka-lees (the cup from which you drink the holy wine). This year has been a bit warmIve seen it down to -35 F here in the banks and up to +35 F just within the past couple days (its 2022-02-27 today) a heatwave. , Tims, McDonalds, and the beer store are all closed on Christmas Day. Whats the best site to buy Canada flights? my grandma also calls couches CHESTERFIELDS! Kraft Dinner is a box of mac and cheese that you can make at home. Now we know, ours are just better in Canada. Youre bound to get some major eye rolls. The classic apology can mean anything from sincere acknowledgement of a mistake to passive aggressive annoyance. We love Keiths it is one of our favourite beers. Here are a few of the staple Canadian slang words used daily. I think I will keep using washroom. Hahaha. Get some good Canadian beer and then think about calling yourself a Canadian man!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks! Im in Canada (40+ years), and we dont use that here. 3) Place where snow may fall in the Summer. There are many online services that are dedicated to helping language learners find native speakers to talk with. The Rock for Vancouver Island, as in Im getting off The Rock this weekend.. Wonder if she put that shes bilingual on her resume. Im going to use a few of these phrases for my school international fair! Thanks for the input. It softens the expression and instead of it sounding like a command, it becomes more like a persuasion. Sadly, Ive noticed far too many Canadians using zee, probably from having watched so much American TV, & they dont even seem to be aware of zed. and "double-double" as well as regional slang used only in certain provinces. These are some of the most popular Canadian words and phrases used as slang. Now its become more synonymous with nerd, but it has an affectionate sound to it so its less offensive. My Mom would look at my dishevelled hair when I woke up, and shed say to me I looked like the Wreck of the Hesperus a ship that was mentioned in a poem. Ahhha! Muscles coming tomorrow? Yes In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. I think pilon is a Canadian word. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,101,656 times. Now it's a synonym for "loser" but with a particularly Canadian flavour. Did it get around I wonder ?? And I believe my grandparents in kansas also used to call them that. There are some that I genuinely didnt know were Canadian phrases and judged friends Ive met around the world for not knowing them. Like kitty-corner; how else do you say when things are diagonally across an intersection without so many words?? That would be weird! When I made statements like Its cold tonight, I should have packed my tuque, People looked at me like I was from another planet. It is commonly heard at Canada's favorite coffee chain- Tim Horton's. Recent years have also seen the term be (somewhat) used in America. The next time you stub your toe in Quebec, you might also want to bite your tongue. , Your dad says guys with big trucks have little d**ks. 50+ memorable Grinch quotes for people who absolutely hate Christmas. Fortunately, no, it is not over. Related to "Pepper". , You naturally care for a companionship, but I guess theres a lot worse things than playing a little one-man couch hockey in the dark. This was a term I hoped died when I left high school, but unfortunately, its stuck around. Clicks is much better. they were described as chocolate beans. As far as Hoser goes, that is definitely a Canadian influence spreading. Is there a way to write it phonetically? To biff something is to mess it up. The Canadian Provinces, known as the Prairies, in the middle of the country have their own unique slang terms. My favourite Canadian slang term that I use all the time even though I dont often wear them! And yeah, pop! 2. and see what you pick up. Hillbilly Slang. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Out and about is the cliche thing that every American I meet always gets me to say in my Canadian accent. When I hear cone I think of an icecream cone. British Columbia. Damn. I know our American friends rhyme the alphabet and sing x, y, zee, but we say Zed. The term "hoser", long used by Canadians, is a comedic label given to someone that gained popularity and notoriety from the comedic skits by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas (playing the characters of Bob and Doug McKenzie) in SCTV's "The Great White North" segments. You look like a 12-year-old Dutch girl. In these parts, we also have chips flavoured like Roast Chicken and Fries and Gravy, and soft drinks like Pineapple Crush. We always joke that in Ontario we get our beer and the beer store, liquor at the liquor store and when growing up we got our pop from the pop shop! This will help you sound more Canadian. Do they serve ice-cream? Another funny one a grader/back hoe. How Slang Affects the English Language. Foolscap is used in Canada but not the US. 3 0 obj Check out these quirky Canadian town names. Its most used in Calgary, where we have our largest rodeo. Its one place in the world where you can find equality and freedom of speech. Pop for soft drink or soda. We called our washrooms therecomfort room! A sourdough is a permanent resident of the Yukon who has lived there for all four seasons. Canadian slang isnt as obvious as other countrys. haha, thanks Steph. Yee Haw. 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. I had heard this word as a child. Often its not even a true or false statement! Cockney Translator. Well its true what they say, Canadians are the kindest people in the world. Quebec Anglophones have freely adopted French words, such as autoroute for highway and dpanneur for corner store, as well as French constructions, such as take a decision and shut a light. Please! "Canuck, that very same term of endearment Canadians use now," was used by racist southern Americans to insult French Canadians with dark skins, said Stefan Dollinger, editor in chief of Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles. Oh, I have oneserviette!! Yeah! This is another one of those American-entertainment terms. Nobody can do without their Timmies. So no, all Canadians dont use hoser as classic slang. Often used by canadian soldiers. Tim Hortons is mediocre coffee that we are all mysteriously addicted to. Hi Person, it can be spelled both ways, tuque or toque. Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. There is virtually no pronunciation differences between cot and caught when said by a Canadian. Beaver tail , There are probably more but so far I can not think of any. If youre concerned about that expanding gut of yours, many restaurants offer a healthier, vegetarian gravy substitute. That is a good one, my family calls them that too, I didnt think of that one. I was stunned when my solder friend told me that theres a Tim Hortons at his base in Afghanistan, he even took some pics for me. This can last from late April to early September, fluctuating of course, but definitely cause for a swimming pool. Hi John, We call our dinner supper a lot as well. Freezies are what Americans call ice pops, freeze pops or otter pops. To us, a beauty is something that has done well or a great person. Its basically just a hoodie! Bob and Doug Mackenzie made it famous in the 70s and it ended up taking of eh. Turn left (Larry) or right (Roger). I can find streets in places like Laval where every home has a swimming pool. Shoresy is one of the most popular characters in the show known for saying hilarious things. Canadians dont say about. Ok, maybe not the kindest but were pretty polite. Greasy is a term that Maritimers use to refer to someone who is sketchy or seems untrustworthy. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor. A derogatory term that has nothing to do with our meat production and everything to do with how the rest of the country felt about us hyping ourselves up. ), and will also say that Ive brought Poutine to Australia, and they dig it here.
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