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. Anything other than "Sorry" when you bump into someone. they were described as chocolate beans. Its unclear where this term came from but from what I can tell no actual hangings were involved (whew!). By now most of the world knows the Canadian tuxedo: wearing an all-denim outfit. 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. A keener is sort of a mix between a know-it-all and a goody-two-shoes. 1. When our one-dollar coin came out in the early nineties. In Canada keener is someone who shows up to class early . Wed use it asheading to the vendors, want anything? endobj , Oh, come on, kitten. It seems like they are used more often for male underwear than female. Just be sure you don . Very funny. Hi Dante, I dont know if these guys are commenting here anymore, but this is a blog about Canadian things. That would be giving someone his or her "due.". Why cant you just go f**k yourself? It's the native language of approximately 7.3 million Canadians, comprising 20.6% of the Canadian population. As in, that car got up to 100 clicks.. Cant figure out what it is in the South, but how would you pick up snow anyways without a back-hoe? Pencil crayons are what Americans call colored pencils and the British call colouring pencils. Thats because use the can is vulgar; the only people in Canada who youd probably hear saying it would be teenage boys, if that. Take off and tuques were perfectly normal. Like Americans, we refer to dollars and bucks. See on Instagram. This article has been viewed 1,101,656 times. Is there anywhere else in Canada that also says this?? Special thanks to my Islander friend for teaching me PEI fighting words, which is possibly the best Youtube video Ive ever seen and the perfect documentation of a PEI accent. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Most native French speakers in Canada live in Quebec, which is the only province where French is the sole official language. 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. {CJ"aF~:bT? This is an older Canadian term. Its what Canadians call a beer belly. Too bad, you werent. 2 0 obj I wont tell anyone. chemo cheemoback in the seventies someone tried to promote an inuit? Its a military short form that weve adopted as a country. We even have them at office meetings now. What do you call Pepsi and similar? Pepsi: French Canadians: Empty from the neck up. How To Type Letters with Accents on a Computer. It is, after all, a . It can also be a derogatory term for supporters of the Bloc Quebecois. To use these services you will need a computer and a microphone. Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake helped get this horrible fashion choice into the mainstream, but it continues to be a thing in Canada. a Coke-Cola or a Pespi coke). Ive literally never heard anyone outside of American television use this term. Check out Grammar Girl. Means go for it or help yourself, especially when referring to food. He became visibly jagged when he missed his flight. Thanks Candice, I am going to start using By. One chance. Toronto. So, Ive got that going for me. 300+ funny, classic and scary clown names that will make you giggle, Cash withdrawal limit not part of Supreme Court ruling, CBN may continue policy, Dating apps in Nigeria: best applications to help you find the one, "He think say the baby na handkerchief": Nigerian father dances with newborn baby in church, video trends, "He is in love": Man without hands sends messages on WhatsApp using his legs, video inspires many, Presidential election: Jack-Rich salutes Tinubu, Shettima over victory, Heres a poem. Fantastic post Now that its summer Im seeing more and more 40+ year old men mowing their lawn flexing that Molson Muscle like no other. The things you learn on a travel blog:). Used as a negative, it basically means "idiot." When used positively, it's a phrase of light endearment. But when you hear someone use the word as Im finishing university, its a clear tell that they are from Canada. Its most used in Calgary, where we have our largest rodeo. 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. Most people not from Canada can figure out what most of the slang means. That package is going to be smaller than the one youre sportin now. Its just what we call km. "Fam". Farmers Tan a tan that stops just below your shoulder due to wearing t-shirts too much. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you. Ive found them most common in the Prairies although the Maritimes was full of them in Fall. I learned a lot from you. CHESTERFIELD!!!! I was surprised to see the word Toilet used so much. Of course this is changing with the influx of social media just last week at the Halifax Shopping Centre, I saw a girl with a crop top that had bedazzled letters spelling out the words I have anxiety and sh!t, in full view of little kids at the food court. . 2m Canadians do pronounce the R in Pork. Often used by canadian soldiers. Even though the series has been around for quite some time, fans still ask, is Letterkenny over? Today I came across a 1967 high school year book photo of graduates. Great job! There are so many more Canadina expressions that I couldnt fit into the post. Thanks! Im going to use a few of these phrases for my school international fair! But Canadians use it differently. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. (Read more). , Its a hard life picking stones and pulin t**ts, but as sure as Gods got sandals, it beats fightin dudes with treasure trails. 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 Quebec, people take the Metro instead of the subway, belong to syndicates instead of unions, and attend reunions instead of meetings. I think most Canadians would call it a couch today, certainly not sofa. In addition to regional slang variations, there are some Canadian slang words universally understood throughout the country. I said it! And lastly, I dont know if you guys have a special name for Tim Hortons doughnuts, but my husband would like to suggest, Wonder rings of goodness. Sure, its a long onebut pretty darn accurate. Jurons, as Qubecois swears and insults are called, are used to add color to everyday conversations. We love our hockey almost as much as we love our Timmies. Typically if youre going south, youre going down somewhere warm like Florida or the Caribbean. It might be a Britishism but its also Canadian. Seemy Disclosure Policyfor more information. Okay, so my question is some what related to this topic, but not exactly. Oh, I have oneserviette!! Mainly refers to youngsters who commit petty crimes. In these parts, we also have chips flavoured like Roast Chicken and Fries and Gravy, and soft drinks like Pineapple Crush. They also have ketchup chips in some markets. Our Sasquatch is said to be in British Columbia. However, if youre ordering fries and youre asked if youd like poutine instead, your answer should always be yes. Looking to book your next trip? . So no, all Canadians dont use hoser as classic slang. One of my favourite phrases that is uniquely Canadian is Two-Four. Wonder if she put that shes bilingual on her resume. Means chocolate milk in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Canadians would also pronounce the past tense of shine (shone) to rhyme with dawn versus the American bone. . All examples can be found pretty much anywhere in America. In the US, these are called Adirondack chairs. So, dont say a-boot unless you want to get kicked by one. : *Iuu!$\TV. Getty Images 1 / 50 Caesar 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. Either way, I hope you laugh and learn while reading this guide to 100+ Canadian slang words. Fortunately, no, it is not over. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Usually on a rigid frame. Like kitty-corner; how else do you say when things are diagonally across an intersection without so many words?? . In Canada, our electricity comes from the hydroelectric power company. References. While I know it is used in at least Ontario (where I have family), it originated in Detroit, where Im from. No matter where you live, slang affects the English language in fascinating ways. I didnt know that garburator was Canadian or till, or writing exams. Toronto even gets heatwaves! Yeah, No A term meaning they agree with you, even if no can be confusing. Initially, this referred to Vancouver. When Canadians use the word Poke it means just that. If you are a regular who watches this series, then certain phrases from the show will not shock you. Toronto. (I am proudly 1/2 Canadian my Mom was born in 1915 in the small town of Vankleek Hill in NE Ontario. This is our phrase we use when we go to buy beer at the beer store. , Thanks Robert! Refers to the island itself and not Labrador. I know our American friends rhyme the alphabet and sing x, y, zee, but we say Zed. However, I sure have heard this in Burrrrtaa (Alberta)! My family always used that word for a weed wacker. like i cant explain explain exactly how to understand it its just something you have to have grown up using to understand exactly which product someone is talking about. They find it hilarious for reasons I cant quite figure out. Im not saying Canadians cant be vulgar or crude, but Canada doesnt quite have that raunch culture element that America does (and Im glad of that). Previous Versions. 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. 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). Chesterfield! 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. Starlight, star bright, why the f**k you got earrings on? Excellent suggestions! 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. How Slang Affects the English Language. Just a note on pronunciation. Canadian English military slang. This refers to the oil industries in Alberta. Whats a tuque? Some of these words on the list seem a bit suspect, though. Allophone is new to me too and so is coulee. I used that a lot even after I graduated. Interesting. Parkette (i.e., small park) is a Canadian word. As for oot and aboot, it may not be Canadian but it is pure Scottish. The Canadian definition of keener was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2015. Its name comes from the Loon (a bird) on the Tails side of the coin. The term comes from the French les habitants, but I guess we decided thats too long and shortened it. In Saskatchewan, people call hoodies bunnyhugs. I regret nothing! The term "college" typically only refers to one or two-year program community colleges. Hmmm, kinda hard to sound it outkinda like boy without the o. In the winter, Canadians break out their toboggans or sleds to go tobogganing down snowy hills. This term is starting to gain traction in Ontario, but its got its roots in the East Coast. Mmm, Pineapple Crush sounds great and I believe you, Turkey dressing sounds like it would be a nice addition to poutine! 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. Hi Virey, I am not sure what that means, Id have to see more of the poem in context. Oh the numerous words we have for our winter supplies. Nobody really knew what to call it. Then we can throw it down with the best of em with a repertoire of insults that are uniquely our own. They are discussed in a separate chapter because they have their own usage and inflection. When I first started traveling 10 years ago, I said to myself, Well, I better buy a new knapsack to carry everything.. "1) Where 14-year-old girls can walk home alone at 11:00pm. If someone says something entertaining, youd respond with jokes. 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. A ski cap? Glossary of Railroad Terminology or Slang. Now we know, ours are just better in Canada. Stereotypical softdrink of choice (considered quite insulting). Did ya get a tracking number? Nade: Canadians: Shortened form of "Canadian." Nades is a 2v1 game of tennis. Eh. Everyone always makes fun of us. Cool 1970s Slang. It was the uniform of the lumbermen working in Canada, but is now more popular in the grunge fashion movement. Tim Hortons is mediocre coffee that we are all mysteriously addicted to. Very true, but that is such a Canadian moment in its own way. 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. Dont forget the iconic Nova Scotia toast sociable! They have no chocolate in them. This jacket is typically checkered with large black and red or green squares. Larger places like Toronto have gained many slang nicknames over the years, some of which are starting to fade. And what we call colleges are their community colleges. Incidentally, anyone wanting a primer is Scots, I recommend watching Rab C Nesbitt on Youtube. SOS I am translating WW1 poems by Canadians, soldiers or civilians . Generally speaking, these are Canadian slang terms used across the country. The little things youd never know if you didnt travel! This is both a slang and a trend among Canadian men. Its basically just a hoodie! However, going south is a whole other thing. To be sloshed is to be drunk. The following is a list of colloquial terms and expressions used in the Canadian Armed Forces . Well, theres nothing better than a fart. We sometimes shorten it to uni. Always fun to hear about what is different in each country and area that they live in. Habs fans are everywhere and theres nothing funny about the most storied team in NHL history. Heres what one Maritimer wishes hed known before moving to Montreal. Well, if you are a regular fan of the show, you probably are conversant with Letterkenny slang. 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! Some are more obscure than others, but theyre all really fun. I dont know what I was thinking of hahah. I rest my case. Its confusing to newcomers, especially if English isnt your first language. Thanks! The loonie.. Actually, bi would be the best example, hahaha. This tongued twister word is made from the hit Hollywood musical, Marry Poppins. Americans often mock them on television, treating them more like camp rangers, when in fact that do a lot of very difficult work. It still does, but sweatpants have become more prominent. It softens the expression and instead of it sounding like a command, it becomes more like a persuasion. And I like the way we say about.Canadians should start embracing the way we say about. French Canadians: A derivative of Pepsi. I know in the States, universities are often called colleges. They are much like our lovehearts candy. I think I wrote about it in an old food post. A (bad) hockey player who spends all her time on the bench, gathering dust. It's one more typical Canadian insult. I wonder if anyone else in the world calls it a pilon or is it just we Canadians? It has no relation to their actual appearance. I just replied about this on another comment but I think you are right. And speaking of post-secondary education, in Canada, theres a clear distinction between universities and colleges. Here is the post about Canadas lack of food identity https://theplanetd.com/canadian-food, Jesus Murphey we all say it.. look ma, the neighbors walking around in his underwear Jesus Murphey!. History of American Slang Words. Pencil Crayons coloured pencils (also only we spell colour with a u). British Columbia. Any potential backpackers heading to Canada need to know a few of these sayings. Its become more of a colloquial term amongst Prairie residents. {xr%5y{ : In The Republic of Doyle TV series, they quite often refer to others as by. They also like pumpkin pie.thats 2 for Canada!). Soobviously a Loonie would be the next choice right? 9. swordfishtrombonez. This post is hilarious. These words are all interchangeable for underwear, think tight whities. And i notice that those of us who lived in northern ON say packsackbut no one else does! (My Mom pronounced it VAN Klee-kill) Are these phrases familiar to anyone? Not soda! Or maybe Canadian influence is just starting to spread? Yes In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. I recommend a Brita Water Bottle for long hikes and backcountry camping to stay safe and hydrated. Typically its an outdoor structure, but we use it interchangeably to refer to an underground parking garage as well. I went my entire childhood and a large portion of my adult life not realizing that this was a word only used in Canada. As with all slang, and especially that of nationality, . Maybe it is only in Quebec, Are they? Essentially, a Sasquatch is a large, hairy figure in the woods that has a lot of lore surrounding it. We say only 50 clicks to go. When I was in the southern US and said pilon, no one knew what I meant. If you eat the toe, youll be fined HEAVILY. We have smarties in America. You ever hoover schneef off a sleeping cows spine? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly. Its more likely that if you hear someone say they are going north, they mean north of their current location. Im in Canada (40+ years), and we dont use that here. There are many online services that are dedicated to helping language learners find native speakers to talk with. We apologize, but for some reason its ingrained in us! Americans looking to take a trip across their country's northern border might find themselves bewildered by some Canadian turns of phrase. So Im Canadian as well, Ontario raised. [1] You may withdraw your consent at any time. endobj Thanks for the information Zach. Again, its mostly seen on American television. After travelling for the last few years and causing some VERY confused faces, I can assure you that we definitely do. Midwesterners call in pop, East Coast/West Coast call it soda, and Southerners call in coke (i.e. Newfoundland.