And thats your whole world right there. See on Instagram Gotch (ies) Underwear. Lets start at the West Coast and work our way East through Canadian slang phrases. Haha, yes you do see a lot of the Molson Muscle cutting lawns in the summer time Corbin. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. I dont hear anyone call it soda. One win. Canadian slang isnt as obvious as other countrys. These are Canadas most unique restaurants. In the US, what they call Smarties, we call Rockets. I love this! To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you. If you dont know how beer is supposed to taste, please keep your comments to yourself. This was a term I hoped died when I left high school, but unfortunately, its stuck around. Many of the above I had forgotten, but they come flooding back. I wont tell anyone. It might be a Britishism but its also Canadian. 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). +}+(z Q0$DC- QW%.. This post is hilarious. We call them Smarties and we like to eat the red ones last. So lets look at some regional Canadian sayings! 99% of Canadians will use washroom or bathroom, but very rarely will they use toilet. And yes, after you answer natures call, you do go there to wash, hopefully. That is what they are made out of. Fans can be excited about seeing their favourite characters in the 9th season. To listen to how we Canadians talk, watch our video of these two crazy Canucks explaining all the Canadian phrases we use. Whether youre visiting Toronto or exploring the Yukon, these colloquial terms are recognized everywhere. Long story short, Pop is not just a Canadian phenomena. 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.. 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. Actually, many parts of Canada can get extremely warm summers that mimic tropical heat. Thanks! I recommend World Nomads starting at just $5 a day! Hahaha. What do people in Canada say for "bicycle"? Just a note on pronunciation. One fellow was described as a Canadian Baby, maybe a typical personal crack, not the photography company which apparently started in 1965. Its usually screamed, which is why its abbreviated. No matter where you live, slang affects the English language in fascinating ways. We get a lot of flack due to the fact that were drinking Miller in the photograph:), and idk of candians pronouce it the same way but in northern us. When I first started to travel the world. Rink rat is a term for someone who spends a lot of time at hockey arenas. F**k lemony snicket, what a serious of unfortunate events you f**kin been through you ugly f**k. Boulevard of broken dreams! A reference to anyone from the Prairies. Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling. In Alberta the Convenience stores or corner stores used to be called Confectionary. Its more common to use it for men as it was derived when it was less popular for women to play hockey. Just want to say your article is as amazing. When we pay our utilities each month, we pay our hydro bill. Backpack = Soft bodied, the same or a bit larger than a knapsack. You may withdraw your consent at any time. Usually, its not used to refer to a physical fight, but that varies. Canadians will be agreeing with you, but they say yeah, no. If only Id known I was mimicking Canadians, I could have had a much happier childhood. Tell us some words unique to your country, we want to hear them. When in the states, I was needing some elastics and we had quite a time trying to explain what an elastic is. If you order your coffee this way, youll get one with two creams and two sugars. Although we have many islands, this term is meant for people from Prince Edward Island in the Maritimes. It's a term of affection like "bro" or "my dude.". As for oot and aboot, it may not be Canadian but it is pure Scottish. . He became visibly jagged when he missed his flight. I think its fascinating how terms develop and change over time and across borders. "Fam". Or brains. 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. Im told its a Canadian thing. Its as ingrained in our vocabulary as much as eh and looney. Oh, and PS, Canadians pay a lot for hydro even though we live next door to Niagara Falls. Ive seen more than one movie where American soldiers refer to kilometers as clicks. How To Type Letters with Accents on a Computer. .-= Shannon ODs last blog ..A Little WarmthA Wee Bit of Irish Hospitality =-. im fluent in English & french. Even though Canadians officially speak English and French, Canadian slang can be considered a third language everyone understands. Our Sasquatch is said to be in British Columbia. Across Canada, we tend to think of our home as being the centre of the country. I know youre not leaving them to freeze for hockey rinks in the winter, that wont work! I used that a lot even after I graduated. A Mickey is a small bottle of alcohol that can fit in your pocket. In Ontario we say ( use guys) meaning (you guys). 2. 1. Not all Canadians use it but Ive only ever heard Canadians say it. Wonder rings of Goodness, I like that. Eh. Everyone always makes fun of us. This phrase is so Toronto that within months of moving here, you'll find yourself saying it. Means go for it or help yourself, especially when referring to food. This is absolutely not a stereotype or misconception, you can verify this yourself with google earths aerial photography. We have Chinook winds in here in Alaska, though not so much here in Fairbanks. I think Ill head over to one today to get myself some sasparilla:). Montreal Canadiens insults, on the other hand, can get you in trouble whether you're in Beaver Creek, Yukon, or Blackhead, Newfoundland. Toronto. If you want to develop a Canadian accent, try to say the lines along with the actors on the third or fourth viewing. A sourdough is a permanent resident of the Yukon who has lived there for all four seasons. Its true what they say about accents: everyone has one and you cant always hear your own, but this whole business about Canadians saying a-boot instead of about is just confusing. 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. The Edge from U2 often wears a tuque, and Jacques Cousteau always wore a tuque. I regret nothing! Theyre most common in the Prairies, though Saskatchewan and Alberta debate the i vs. o. The little things youd never know if you didnt travel! Yee Haw. Whereas, in the South, Coke has become the generic term for all soft drinks, regardless of brand. How Slang Affects the English Language. Americans often mock them on television, treating them more like camp rangers, when in fact that do a lot of very difficult work. Huh? It has no relation to their actual appearance. If people have a housecoat, its often nicer than your simple plush bathrobe. How a Soft Drink Became Quebec's Homegrown Insult. Shoresy is one of the most popular characters in the show known for saying hilarious things. Can you think of any other Canadian sayingsthat are unique to your region or the country? Yes, not D.C. A Mickey is about a flask-sized measure of alcohol that you can buy from the grocery store. British Columbia. They are the Canadian version of the FBI and deal with a lot of serious crimes. They mock us by using "eh" in the most ridiculous phrases and they never get it right. Living around Canada, especially in the Maritimes, I learned even more fascinating Canadian terms that I wish were more widely known. We say zed, we have smarties, knapsacks (though back pack is probably more common) and chocolate bars. We apologize, but for some reason its ingrained in us! The term "college" typically only refers to one or two-year program community colleges. Ah, but youre wrong on one count we also call it a washroom in the U.S., at least where I grew up in the Midwest. 7. Among the many booze-related slang terms in Canada, this phrase - particularly popular in Ontario - refers to a package of 24 bottles of beer. I dont know about Canadian Baby. Is you do you Canadian slang or American? Toronto even gets heatwaves! Can often replace 'Pardon' or 'Excuse Me'. Like Americans, we refer to dollars and bucks. Someone who tries just a little too hard, sucking up to an authority figure and showing off how much they know. Depaneur Convenience store Macdo Short name for McDonald Regie I have heard this from many English speakers, I went to the regie web site (government agency), Whats up with the saying some of these days we say one of these days here in the States. "Cuzo". Canada has two official languages, English and French, and a third unofficial one: Canadian slang. Take off and tuques were perfectly normal. Hmmm, kinda hard to sound it outkinda like boy without the o. I heard Americans dont have a word for slush and dont use the word toboggan. This is both a slang and a trend among Canadian men. You should be ashamed of yourself!!!!!!! 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. Fun article but many manyof the claims in the comments are not solely Canadian. Eh This is our most popular Canadian saying that we receive the most flack about from the rest of the world. . Either way, I hope you laugh and learn while reading this guide to 100+ Canadian slang words. So Im Canadian as well, Ontario raised. I got all of these off another website so they may not be true (I just assumed). "Eh." Everyone always makes fun of us. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). I learned today on the CBC that it is an Inuit word for The snow that melts. What a Chinook is, is a warm wind that comes over the mountain in the dead of winter and instantly melts the snow and raises the temperature. Fortunately, no, it is not over. The US has always had dill pickle chips and has had all dressed for about 5 or 6 years now. 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. Oooh, Id have to do a more in-depth investigation on this one. It might be I go to the U of R. That would be weird! Of course, every country has the term beauty or some form of it. The things you learn on a travel blog:). If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. <>>> Giveer means to give it your all. 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. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. But if you really want to delve into the reasoning for the difference. See coming into force provision and notes, where applicable. We catch ourselves saying it all the time. There are so many more Canadina expressions that I couldnt fit into the post. We use the terms so simply that people barely register them. Technically this isnt slang since its a translation, but it means thank you. I didnt know that garburator was Canadian or till, or writing exams. I didnt realize that it was a Canadian thing. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Although it is a manufactured made up word, it is Canada in a nutshell. Buttertarts are Canadian and the term courier eg, FedEx, etc. Will be great to throw out a couple of these when I make it up that way. See you next time and happy Canada day, eh? To be sloshed is to be drunk. We couldnt exactly call it a dollar bill anymore, and a dollar coin just didnt roll off of the tongue. Usually used for driving directions. It sounds loonie-toonie but its true! That package is going to be smaller than the one youre sportin now. Thats not Canada talking there. How about hoser from the MacKenzie brothers? A puck bunny is a derogatory term for a female fan of hockey. Thats when I realized that Canadians are strange. I linked to it from my site, Living Abroad in Canada, that provides advice for people relocating to Canada: http://www.livingabroadincanada.com/2009/07/03/speaking-canadian-tips-from-canadas-adventure-couple/. Be careful before you utter a disparaging remark about a hockey player or team in Canadaa seemingly innocent comment can quickly turn into one of the most offensive Canadian insults. Amazing Tombstone quotes from an underrated movie classic. I do love my Tim Hortons Doughnuts! I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. .-= Candices last blog ..Three-line book review: Stardust Neil Gaiman =-. A Vancouver special is a type of house with no basement where the first floor is rented out. especially for school aged kids. BTWI use the term washroom all the time, Really enjoyed your blog about the slang of Canada. Joggers used to mean sweatpants. You asked about more slang. The GTA stands for the Greater Toronto Area. 1 0 obj Canadian Slang by Region. Two-four was a big one for me back in the day. 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. Learn these 25 Canadian slang terms that will help you navigate life in the north a little bit easier. Its similar to a very Malaysian word lah which we add to everything we say. This article has been viewed 1,101,656 times. Thanks for the additions. This is a Commonwealth trait that we have leftover from Britain, as its just as rampant in New Zealand. Generally speaking, these are Canadian slang terms used across the country. A term for an anglophone in Quebec. However, going south is a whole other thing. There was this Frenchman from Quebec who liked to say something like Batoime ! when he was surprised but something, said it was a family expression. Its unclear where this term came from but from what I can tell no actual hangings were involved (whew!). Ive always loved language. For the Maritimes, the rest of the country is out west. In Saskatchewan, people call hoodies bunnyhugs. , Call me a cake, cause Ill go straight to your a** cowboy. Hi Dave by is pronounced like bye with a short e (not pronounced haha)there is also a nice mix of eh by. I dont know if its uniquely Canadian but Ive heard clicks used quite a bit instead of kilometres. 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. The thing about zed and zee is it makes more sense to pronounce it zee when singing the alphabet song, otherwise it sounds ridiculous. The Canadian definition of keener was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2015. Hey guys! I learned a lot from you. Its what Canadians call a beer belly. I find a lot of this familiar. Snowbirds are Canadian citizens, usually retirees, who flee south in the winter to avoid the cold. 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. The term comes from the French les habitants, but I guess we decided thats too long and shortened it. Captured below are some of the most popular quotes that will make you smile. Often used by canadian soldiers. , You stopped toe curlin in the hot tub cause you heard sperms stay alive in there, and youve seen Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles enough times to know how that story ends. . However we do say About different from Americans. It refers to the 6 neighbourhoods that merged to make up Toronto. [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. A bunnyhug is a pullover sweatshirt with no zipper. In Canada, our electricity comes from the hydroelectric power company. Nova Scotian slang for someone who is sketchy or greasy. Theres a lto of word also that i hear all the time here, and not just in the US or elsewhere. Hold doors open for people and, even if someone stumbles into you, apologize. Its funny how something so commonplace to us became such an ordeal to figure out. Check out these quirky Canadian town names. That seems to be only in Canada. Police arrest 16 suspects for committing electoral offences during 2023 presiden Trouble for INEC staff who violated Electoral Act during presidential polls as chairman announces punishment, Police arrest 16 suspects for committing electoral offences during 2023 presidential poll in south south state, Labour Party denies political alliance with PDP ahead of 2023 governorship election in top state, Gunmen kidnap top North Central monarch's 2 wives, son as police begin search operation, 200 cool and famous dragon names, their meanings and origin. So naturally, we all decided to call it a Loonie. Initially, the term referred to French Canadian settlers of Quebec. Thanks! , 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. Do you want to munch out with me tonight? Lil Peeps girlfriend's timeline: who has the late rapper dated? our Beloved Smarties, how could you Shannon??? And i notice that those of us who lived in northern ON say packsackbut no one else does! 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. Theres happiness calling my name from the bottom of a bottle of Puppers. Here is what we recommend: Need more help planning your trip? And what about crazy carpet? 2023 Readers Digest Magazines Ltd. - All rights reserved, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). Pop for soft drink or soda. In the U.S. Memorable Criminal Minds quotes fans of the show will recognise. The term university is limited to schools which offer four-year, degree programs. Ive never heard a Canadian use this phrase. When Canadians use the word Poke it means just that. Glossary of Railroad Terminology or Slang. Some of these words on the list seem a bit suspect, though. Dinner, backpack, Robe (my household says robe, but others respond with Ooohh.. you mean a house coat?) At last, I can dazzle my Canadian expat friends here in L.A. with my knowledge of Loonies and I have you to thank! It is often used when stumbling into someone or wanting to get past and is widely used. No, we dont say aboot. My family always used that word for a weed wacker. A few days ago a friend and me spotted a guy going for a jog in some short shorts, rocking an Ipod & a very athletic Gut. So, come lah, come visit Malaysia and see for yourself. In addition to regional slang variations, there are some Canadian slang words universally understood throughout the country. 50+ memorable Grinch quotes for people who absolutely hate Christmas. There you have it. , Its like algebrawhy you gotta put numbers and letters together? Thats cool Mel, I didnt realize that it was called pop in Kansas. He had never heard that expression before! Ha! I dont know why we broke away from the two places that we get a lot of our language, but its sort of a fun rebellion on our part. I often use this to describe going cottaging in Muskoka, which is barely halfway up Ontario. Get some good Canadian beer and then think about calling yourself a Canadian man!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didnt know that there was an American Smarties. In Canada, our liquor stores are government-run and cannot be in grocery stores. How fun! Also works as youre an idiot, but use a different tone. They didnt want to miss the movie so they would use (the males) an empty can of soda and pee into it. Despite its obvious similarities to the word "cousin," this phrase is more general. Thats because use the can is vulgar; the only people in Canada who youd probably hear saying it would be teenage boys, if that. Like kitty-corner; how else do you say when things are diagonally across an intersection without so many words?? In Canada keener is someone who shows up to class early . If you want to learn Australian curse words, read on. Your mom just liked my Instagram post from 2 years ago in Puerto Vallarta. 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. Ive never actually heard someone say it in real life but that might be because American TV ruined it for us. Calgary, due to the stampede and its cattle history. The clearness to your submit is just spectacular and that i can suppose you are a professional in this subject. Timmies (among other nicknames) refers to Canadas largest coffee and doughnut chain, Tim Hortons. The best way to learn and practice slang is to talk with a native Canadian. I think I wrote about it in an old food post. We share the knapsack with Washington D.C. 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. As far as Hoser goes, that is definitely a Canadian influence spreading. It was the uniform of the lumbermen working in Canada, but is now more popular in the grunge fashion movement. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. It can be used for assignments, your beer, or anything else youre trying to finish. I have some friends from Newfoundland, so I think that I can hear the accent as I am thinking about how to say it:) Nice! Oddly both terms mean the same thing: to seek a provider of alcohol. By now most of the world knows the Canadian tuxedo: wearing an all-denim outfit. Have a good night. These are some of the most popular Canadian words and phrases used as slang. I dont think that I have ever heard the term washroom anywhere else except for Canada. Mickie is used a variety or places, though it is an older term that ive hear in old movies, Thong is used all the time in Australia and NZ, I nknow some Americans who say hoser, I heat take off all over the place, as with sasquatchm yak, francophone and Kraft Dinner though a lot of people have also taken to calling it KD. Specifically, in Canada, Smarties are a version of the M&M.