Whether youre visiting Toronto or exploring the Yukon, these colloquial terms are recognized everywhere. I am thinking that perhaps it is a uniform? For the uninitiated, poutine is a common Canadian dish that consists of french fries topped with squeaky cheese curds and gravy. We now use it to refer to any energy bill. I didnt realize that Americans say, taking a shower. It insinuates that shes only interested in the game due to attraction to the players or attempting to date the players. Great Canadian Word indeed! When our one-dollar coin came out in the early nineties. 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. This is our phrase we use when we go to buy beer at the beer store. 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. Help me move Canada forward by spreading these more positive slang terms (even buckle bunny as many women use it in an empowering way or own the stereotype). A two-four is a 24 (2 and 4) pack of beer. It is often used when stumbling into someone or wanting to get past and is widely used. We use terms like sneakers and running shoes as well, but something about saying runners is apparently distinctly Canadian. We say zed, we have smarties, knapsacks (though back pack is probably more common) and chocolate bars. Finally they said Why do you say clicks we replied I dont know. Very true, but that is such a Canadian moment in its own way. Will be great to throw out a couple of these when I make it up that way. Oddly both terms mean the same thing: to seek a provider of alcohol. It has a picture of a Loon on it. Oh the Canadian lingo is always evolving . Toilet is everywhere in Japan, but its more than just the signage, people say it out loud at the restaurant with no regards for any apropos feeling. I love this post! However, older generations sometimes call U.S. residents Yankees.. Most people not from Canada can figure out what most of the slang means. If youre from abroad, read on to see the crazy sayings we use and think are normal! Now that you know the Canadian insults to avoid, check out the Canadian road trips everyone should take at least once. It can also be a derogatory term for supporters of the Bloc Quebecois. The accent here is very distinctive, and found nowhere else in Canada. In the US, these are called Adirondack chairs. They also have ketchup chips in some markets. We share the knapsack with Washington D.C. Excellent additions and very accurate. They all said cone. Also works as youre an idiot, but use a different tone. This jacket is typically checkered with large black and red or green squares. Much like it sounds, tof means something is tough or difficult. Yall going to lunch, eh. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor. Ah interesting. If you order your coffee this way, youll get one with two creams and two sugars. Commonly shortened to hali. Freezies are what Americans call ice pops, freeze pops or otter pops. Some have a French Canadian influence. To listen to how we Canadians talk, watch our video of these two crazy Canucks explaining all the Canadian phrases we use. Whipper snipper! 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. Essentially, a Sasquatch is a large, hairy figure in the woods that has a lot of lore surrounding it. I am going to get a 2-4 of Canadian at the Beer Store, do you want anything?, Yes, we buy our beer at the Beer Store in Canada and a box of 24 beers is simply shortened to the words two four.. ke:/RE!yABZ AlahmE;Gc$TE"j rj!\Uf_V+neeEfK,#nOtb\B2C4%i'.rz +O"? A Canadian term of both derision and affection, popularized - but NOT invented - by the MacKenzie Brothers (from their "Great White North" segments on the old SCTV programme). A nickname for Halifax, Nova Scotia. Timmies (among other nicknames) refers to Canadas largest coffee and doughnut chain, Tim Hortons. 2m Our favourite holiday is Queen Victorias Birthday on May 24th. But if you ever want to deliver one of the worst Canadian insults, ask them if they voted for Trump or Biden, or why we drink milk out of bags. Whats the best way to book my Canada accommodations? Oh, Im stomping the brakes, put that idea right through the f**king windshield. Haha, that sounds like something I would do. To be sloshed is to be drunk. It might be I go to the U of R. You may just be reminded of your favourite characters and the things they do to crack you up every time you tune in. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If youd like to learn more, do some research on regional slang or hang out with some fun Canadians (like me!) Well with your permission allow me to take hold of your RSS feed to keep updated with drawing close post. , Its a hard life picking stones and pulin t**ts, but as sure as Gods got sandals, it beats fightin dudes with treasure trails. Or brains. However, Canada is a large country that houses a variety of cultures. Other popular swear words include os-tee (the communion wafer) and ka-lees (the cup from which you drink the holy wine). Pepsi: French Canadians: Empty from the neck up. And yeah, it definitely gets *cold* herecoldest recorded temperature was -80 F, set back in Camp Prospect in January 1971. Thanks John, I am always learning so much on this blog. Often used by canadian soldiers. I love this! Tim Hortons is mediocre coffee that we are all mysteriously addicted to. One more a crummy. _+t!BN]G^l.oH t&N$f +/\K6Z A]o~RfV>s o`Y{450tuUP"d=z$\:Mwr%RTGD! [6] which Canadians and Americans themselves can their own two accents,[7] mostly sometime Western American English and California English, for example) is under going the Canadian Vowel Shift that was first reported in mainland Canadian English in the early 1990s? So no, all Canadians dont use hoser as classic slang. Soda is what others call it, Canadians call it pop. It's similar to the phrases "huh," "right?" and "what?" commonly used in the USA. Dave and I would say things like the next town is about 50 clicks away. POPi dunno if this is accurate but i notice most americans and ppl from other countries call it sodaPOP! Poutine: French Canadians: The name of a mixture of french fries, cheese, and gravy. 3 0 obj 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. , How about: I am sorry The original Canadian phrase we use all the time (trust me I have been to places where people will slam into you and walk away like you were a pilon. 1. Thanks for the addition to great Canadian Words Lucy, I have totally used Parkette before. I was staying in Alberta earlier this year and never once heard can used, but washroom was used not only exclusively, but actually written above public toilet entrances and on directional signs too. Montreal Canadiens insults, on the other hand, can get you in trouble whether you're in Beaver Creek, Yukon, or Blackhead, Newfoundland. I kind of like comfort room. Stereotypical softdrink of choice (considered quite insulting). CBC Qs host Tom Power is a notable traitor that way, he boasts about saying zee, when he ought to be ashamed for promoting it on national radio. Very funny. A Chinook is quite amazing actually. It refers to the bedrock in Vancouver that prevents basements and the insane housing prices that mean people need to rent. You know, the usually orange cone things used for construction and sports. Some have a French Canadian influence. 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. Canadians have a reputation for being the politest people on the planet that is until someone butts in line at Tims. Andy, you are so right about the Buttertarts. [5] 82% of Canadians outside the province of Quebec reported speaking English natively, but with in Quebec the figure was just 7.7% as most of its residents are native speakers of Quebec French. The American pronunciation ismore like a-bow-t. (as in take a bow). Hi, I came across the word elastic. It refers to the citys Ukrainian population apparently. If you want to develop a Canadian accent, try to say the lines along with the actors on the third or fourth viewing. Again, its mostly seen on American television. And Canadian company Ganong claims to have invented to chocolate bar,so I think that give our name precedence, dont you? Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work. We even have them at office meetings now. , Its like algebrawhy you gotta put numbers and letters together? We love Keiths it is one of our favourite beers. The Canadian insult tabarnak is a phonetic rendition of the term "tabernacle", which refers to the ornamented box in which Communion hosts and wine are kept. Canadian Slang of the Atlantic and Central Provinces If you're visiting Eastern or Central Canada, including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec, these slang words will be familiar to the locals. It's one more typical Canadian insult. Thanks for the information Zach. It used to refer more to the French-Canadians but nowadays its a general term. Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly. Rink rat is a term for someone who spends a lot of time at hockey arenas. I'm on a mission to empower every young woman to stop waiting to move abroad. 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. In fact, drop any of these common Canadian slang terms while visiting our neighbours to the south, and you may just be greeted with a blank stare or two. Heres a word I just learned was distinctly Canadian. If you eat the toe, youll be fined HEAVILY. I didnt realize that we are the only people in the world that call their electricity Hydro. If I hear one more person say Oh your Canadian, do you go oot and aboot? Im going to sock it to em in the nose. I didnt know that garburator was Canadian or till, or writing exams. Over time, the line between proper English and slang becomes blurred, and many slang words become part of the larger language. Dinner, backpack, Robe (my household says robe, but others respond with Ooohh.. you mean a house coat?) It has no relation to their actual appearance. But Canadians use it differently. , Your dad says guys with big trucks have little d**ks. In the US, college and university can mean the same thing since a university is a universe of colleges. To fit in while youre in Canada, be sure to say please and thank you to anyone who serves or assists you in any way. You may just pick a few to use whenever you hang out with your close buddies as long they are open-minded. 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. And lets not forget donairs! And if you're really in the . A (bad) hockey player who spends all her time on the bench, gathering dust. Specifically, in Canada, Smarties are a version of the M&M. Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. Toronto even gets heatwaves! .-= John Bardos JetSetCitizens last blog ..Interview with World Travelers, Uncornered Market =-. But when an American pronounces those words, there is a huge difference. Canadians use the word lineup (noun) to refer what the British call a queue and what Americans call a line.. Thats because use the can is vulgar; the only people in Canada who youd probably hear saying it would be teenage boys, if that. One word that is mostly only used in SK, is BunnyHug. Calgary, due to the stampede and its cattle history. Serviette! Only seen those in Alberta. Canadians would say Grade X instead of Xth Grade. There are very few, rural areas that you cant. Its name comes from the Loon (a bird) on the Tails side of the coin. Using an American product is very Canadian. However, if youre ordering fries and youre asked if youd like poutine instead, your answer should always be yes. im fluent in English & french. A ski cap? He poked me in the eye. , Your sisters hot, Wayne! 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. I learned a lot from you. Kilometers has too many syllables ). You are so right. , Buddy, you couldnt wheel a f**kin tire down a hill. You may have noticed I just snuck in an apology above. 2 0 obj Her name was Pearl Victoria,and sha and my Grandpa Victor Blackwell, spoke a lot of unique phrases as I was growing up in central NY in the 50s. 50+ memorable Grinch quotes for people who absolutely hate Christmas. In Western Canada they say "bicycle" or "bike". Clicks is much better. [1] [2] By the 1850s, the spelling with a "C" became predominant. ), All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Canadian slang isnt as obvious as other countrys. My mom and dad love to tell the story of a pair of boots that my grandmother sent to them to keep warm in the winter. In these parts, we also have chips flavoured like Roast Chicken and Fries and Gravy, and soft drinks like Pineapple Crush. Knapsack = small daypack for carrying only enough for the day. For some reason, rather than saying ok, we say true. All you have to do is make a statement like It is a very nice day out today. If you add eh to the end of that statement, you can turn it into a question that will require a friendly reply from the person you are talking to. .-= Candices last blog ..Lend me your ears. I dont know about Canadian Baby. 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. A living room, family room, and den, are three different types of rooms. Long story short, Pop is not just a Canadian phenomena. Thanks for sharing Robert and I totally know all of them. A term for an anglophone in Quebec. not, sure if I read everything above, all good. Much like a puck bunny, buckle bunny is a derogatory term for a woman who follows rodeos. Tuque is the French spelling but the English have adopted Toque and even Touque. Oh the numerous words we have for our winter supplies. Across Canada, we tend to think of our home as being the centre of the country. My dads family uses pop only when our aunt from Canada visits. I have heard Americans say that they dont like Smarties and I cant understand why. When we pay our utilities each month, we pay our hydro bill. Its more likely that if you hear someone say they are going north, they mean north of their current location. They didnt want to miss the movie so they would use (the males) an empty can of soda and pee into it. Twofer - Also called two-four, this term refers to a case of 24 beers. Among the plethora of ethnic insults that traffic in foodGermans as "krauts," say, or Irish people as "potato eaters""pepsi" deserves special mention. . 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. Canadian slang isn't as obvious as other country's. We use the terms so simply that people barely register them. These are some of the most popular Canadian words and phrases used as slang. , Youre pretty good at wrestlin there, Katy, and thats what I appreciate about you. I should a make a video of this. Cottagelife.com is part of the Blue Ant Media Canada network 2023 Blue Ant Media. Shoresy is one of the most popular characters in the show known for saying hilarious things. My friend asked me Whats that? I wont tell anyone. Its not the same as whole milk, so we came up with a short form. All examples can be found pretty much anywhere in America. Hi John, We call our dinner supper a lot as well. So where other countries get electrical bills, we get hydro bills. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. , F**k you, Jonesy! Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. Like kitty-corner; how else do you say when things are diagonally across an intersection without so many words?? Shaded provisions are not in force. I genuinely thought everyone had this term. , We only got one shot at this. In my four years in Nova Scotia, my accent changed and my vocabulary widened. This term comes from the reservations that our Indigenous people live on across the country. I cant say Ive heard the phrase while I lived in the US west coast. This word is used in everyday Canadian vernacular to indicate that you don't understand something, can't believe something is true or want the person you're speaking with to respond. As a Brit. Wed use it asheading to the vendors, want anything? In fact I hear that more often than washroom. This comes from the famous Blue Nose ship that used to fish and race in Nova Scotia. ]`;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,. Its a very old term that has mostly fallen out of fashion. Pop is a Canadian thing and everyone else says soda. These abbreviations are for the longer form government names for our liquor stores. More specifically, it is a coffee with a double shot of cream and sugar. 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. Although Newfoundland isnt technically a Maritime province because it joined Canada after the Maritime treaty, it tends to be included. While I know it is used in at least Ontario (where I have family), it originated in Detroit, where Im from. No waywe ended up calling it a Toonie, because Toonie rhymes with Loonie, and we Canadians like things that rhyme. The clearness to your submit is just spectacular and that i can suppose you are a professional in this subject. For example, it may be 28C, but with the humidex it feels like 35C. In the Ottawa Valley, the accent is heavily influenced by the Irish who settled the area. Does that mean brother, buddy, or what?? Cant figure out what it is in the South, but how would you pick up snow anyways without a back-hoe? Yes! Another is using the word line-up as a noun. Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. F**k you, Jonesy, your life is so pathetic I get a charity tax break just by hanging around you! Out and about is the cliche thing that every American I meet always gets me to say in my Canadian accent. Thanks Candice, I am going to start using By. This refers to anyone from the Maritime provinces in Atlantic Canada. Just be sure you don . They are much like our lovehearts candy. The origins of the word are uncertain. There are many online services that are dedicated to helping language learners find native speakers to talk with. Quebec is the only place in North America where Pepsi has traditionally outsold Coke. Mainly refers to youngsters who commit petty crimes. "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. I use all of those except for take off. Captured below are some of the most popular quotes that will make you smile. She explains the diphthong differences eloquently here. Ive also heard it used to describe someone who looks good, like complimenting a girlfriend. That comes from our history fur trading. Welcome back to my channel! Another one would be, When Im done this show or when Im done this product., etc. Some are more obscure than others, but theyre all really fun. Where as an American would insert the word with, When Im done with this show or with this product. Ive always been curious. I got a few words which arent on here: Cowtown, Bytown, Canuck, Mickie, Hoser, two-six, cherry picker, puck bunny,francophone, allophone, coulee and yak Canada Kicks Ass!! "Cuzo". You are more observant than us! Pronounced sky-vee, this east coast word refers to someone untrustworthy or sneaky. Grits are members of the Liberal party of Canada. Its a bit like someone who grew up on cheese-in-a-can screwing up their nose at free-range, organic chvre. If anything, we say a-boat or, more accurately, a-beh-out. Some that come to mind Canadian or not chew the fat, dont know me from Adam, Fizz-Bang for canned pop, interesting for its reverse melody, The Beer Store itself surprised the heck out of me after many years absence, and that certainly was derived from local slang power to the people. 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. Do you say supper? Amazing Tombstone quotes from an underrated movie classic. Oh, I hope he got a tracking number. As far as Hoser goes, that is definitely a Canadian influence spreading. See on Instagram. "Eh." Everyone always makes fun of us. Someone from New Brunswick. Australian Swear Words Even though Australia is an English-speaking country, there are many differences when it comes to slang and cuss words. Not a common term in Southern Ontario. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. And thats your whole world right there. Being born in Alberta, Canada my parents often talked about Chinooks blowingin from the mountains and how nice it was. Read on to find out if yours made it to the list of the best 35 quotes from the show below. Tell her Ill put my swim trunks on for her any time she likes. If people have a housecoat, its often nicer than your simple plush bathrobe. Well, my dad wore them out on one cattle drive (my dad was a rancher) and it was so cold that his boots cracked right open and shattered. Its a military short form that weve adopted as a country. No one can deny the magical relationship between french fries and ketchup. No, we dont say aboot. This is a BC-specific term that means impressive or exceptional. Ok, I could do an entire post on how Tim Hortons has shaped our coffee drinking as a nation. Nobody can do without their Timmies. Oh, I have oneserviette!! I should have put that in. We use the terms so simply that people barely register them. Canada. Ah, that explains it. especially for school aged kids. To understand Canadian slang, master uniquely Canadian expressions, like eh? to ask something like, That movie was great, eh? Additionally, work on learning longer phrases, such as book off work, which means to take time off from work. I always say Zed Zed Top & La-Zed-Boy just so people realise how silly it is to make zee rhyme with vee in the alphabet!! To biff something is to mess it up. The thing about zed and zee is it makes more sense to pronounce it zee when singing the alphabet song, otherwise it sounds ridiculous. However, I sure have heard this in Burrrrtaa (Alberta)! Maybe it is only in Quebec, Are they? You have probably heard the following phrases if you are a regular. , Does your grandmother call lunch dinner and dinner supper?. And then I started traveling. We would pronounce leisure to rhyme with seizure (Americans would rhyme it with measure). My grandma also calls her sofa a Davenport. It can be used for assignments, your beer, or anything else youre trying to finish. Hold doors open for people and, even if someone stumbles into you, apologize. That seems to be only in Canada. But seriously, is there a slang insult for really bad situations, beyond calling some a "hoser?" I'm writing a story and one of my characters is Canadian and has a thick accent, and for one part, I want him to use an insult that would be reserved for only truly bad guys.