Kraft Dinner macaroni and cheese. Fun fact: KD is our most consumed product in Canada, even beating out maple syrup! If you want to develop a Canadian accent, try to say the lines along with the actors on the third or fourth viewing. My wife and I are getting ready to move to Canada after leaving 5 years ago. Nova Scotian slang for someone who is sketchy or greasy. And I like the way we say about.Canadians should start embracing the way we say about. Youve given me some homework. I dont think that I have ever heard the term washroom anywhere else except for Canada. Canuck / knk / is a slang term for a Canadian. Unless you're actually trying to deliver a Canadian insult, there's only one thing you say when someone bumps into you, and that's "Sorry.". Or the UK. and see what you pick up. 2. No, we dont say aboot. A double double is a coffee order from Tim Hortons. But Canadians use it differently. See on Instagram. 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? Fun read thanks! Same with merry, Mary, and marry. If you were in a French-speaking part of Canada, like Quebec, you could say "bicyclette". They come in a variety of flavours and are sold individually or by the box. A shortening of sasquatch that, in western Canada, refers to someone big and unkempt. There are some that I genuinely didnt know were Canadian phrases and judged friends Ive met around the world for not knowing them. If youre 1, then its sort of a letdown. And speaking of post-secondary education, in Canada, theres a clear distinction between universities and colleges. Or brains. There is virtually no pronunciation differences between cot and caught when said by a Canadian. I cant say Ive heard the phrase while I lived in the US west coast. For the uninitiated, poutine is a common Canadian dish that consists of french fries topped with squeaky cheese curds and gravy. This tongued twister word is made from the hit Hollywood musical, Marry Poppins. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. ? 'xDDpEHnxX18
y5C=|SAH`kX?n#mi%SU!R2OqQgZGQSho8R& Someone from New Brunswick. Im guessing something about the coziness of a hoodie led to the name, but I couldnt find a good explanation. Just want to say your article is as amazing. The Rock for Vancouver Island, as in Im getting off The Rock this weekend.. Usually used for driving directions. Any of them familar to anyone? And yeah, pop! Quebec is the only place in North America where Pepsi has traditionally outsold Coke. In the Ottawa Valley, the accent is heavily influenced by the Irish who settled the area. This jacket is typically checkered with large black and red or green squares. Great suggestion. Do other people say den and family room? Snowbirds are Canadian citizens, usually retirees, who flee south in the winter to avoid the cold. Welcome back to my channel! Another one would be, When Im done this show or when Im done this product., etc. If youre from abroad, read on to see the crazy sayings we use and think are normal! Here is what we recommend: Need more help planning your trip? Poutine: French Canadians: The name of a mixture of french fries, cheese, and gravy. [1] [2] By the 1850s, the spelling with a "C" became predominant. Hi John, We call our dinner supper a lot as well. , Tims, McDonalds, and the beer store are all closed on Christmas Day. You may have to pay to find a Canadian language partner. LOL , How about some French words that are spoken by English speakers. And if you're really in the . Tell her Ill put my swim trunks on for her any time she likes. Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling. Will be great to throw out a couple of these when I make it up that way. Canadians have come up with a variety of nicknames for the provinces, cities, and towns we live in. Technically this isnt slang since its a translation, but it means thank you. . Your living area is above the first floor. I was in my 20s before I learned that was a Saskatchewan expression :S. Thanks Andre, I have heard of BunnyHugs. Toque A type of knit hat with no brim, worn in the winter time. Edmonton. "1) Where 14-year-old girls can walk home alone at 11:00pm. The origins of the word are uncertain. Im in grade 12, said the Canadian. The American pronunciation ismore like a-bow-t. (as in take a bow). , 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. Ontario has the Beer Store. Homosexual Slang Terms. Among the plethora of ethnic insults that traffic in foodGermans as "krauts," say, or Irish people as "potato eaters""pepsi" deserves special mention. Hi Person, it can be spelled both ways, tuque or toque. Dwight Schrute: Most hilarious quotes and memes from your favourite character. especially for school aged kids. Also, I have to disagree on the smartiesthey had these abroad and I wasnt overly impressed, Ill take my M&Ms!!! Actually, bi would be the best example, hahaha. Does that mean brother, buddy, or what?? Although the term we use most often is sorry, Im not sorry for the changes I made. .-= Shannon ODs last blog ..A Little WarmthA Wee Bit of Irish Hospitality =-. I have heard Americans say that they dont like Smarties and I cant understand why. Here are a few examples of his sayings that you can easily relate with. Theyre most common in the Prairies, though Saskatchewan and Alberta debate the i vs. o. 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. . 2023 Nina Out and About - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP - Privacy Policy, Wrap Up: Canadian Slang and Sayings You Need to Know. BTWI use the term washroom all the time, Really enjoyed your blog about the slang of Canada. Over time, the line between proper English and slang becomes blurred, and many slang words become part of the larger language. Our Mini Trips are small and mighty - they squeeze all the excitement and authenticity of our longer Epic Trips into a manageable 3-5 day window. Some are more obscure than others, but theyre all really fun. Nowadays, weve become properly American-ized and call then bathrobes or robes. {CJ"aF~:bT? Oooh, Id have to do a more in-depth investigation on this one. So where other countries get electrical bills, we get hydro bills. Serviette! It includes all of Toronto as well as neighbouring suburbs and municipalities. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Maybe Some American companies work in Canada, but many will not. Keener. After familiarizing yourself with the actual slang terms, practice speaking and listening to those terms until they come more naturally to you. They either crack you up or make you wonder how smart the guys can be. I didnt know that there was an American Smarties. Just wanted to wish everyone a great Christmas this year. Please e-mail us at info@insultint.com or call us at 905-935-0341 for any questions! I forgot all about the word pop Americans call it soda and that just sounds strange to we Canadians. stream
A word from Newfoundland meaning pretty obviously someone whos stupid. BC has only the provincial-regulated and privately owned liquor stores, both of which have beer; there are no separate beer-only stores. Whats a tuque? 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. ;
NKz}7[+a.,oxG5 *dztqc+Td[h. Perhaps one of the most colloquial of Canadian slang words, it means trying very hard in a noble or impressive feat. And if you plan to stay for more than 4 weeks (an average tourist visa length), you will need to look into visas to live in Canada. im fluent in English & french. References. Without yeast, sourdough was the only kind of bread they could make. Yall going to lunch, eh. But I like it! I know our American friends rhyme the alphabet and sing x, y, zee, but we say Zed. Note: this is not to be confused with May two-four (24) weekend, which is a holiday in Canada. In Alberta the Convenience stores or corner stores used to be called Confectionary. Save more in booking your flights and accommodations by using this platform! Either way, you probably will hear someone say it in passing while youre in Canada. What about deep fried pickles? Some have a French Canadian influence. No Canadian party is complete without it. Its similar to a very Malaysian word lah which we add to everything we say. Whats the best way to book my Canada accommodations? Its like the American Big Foot or the northern Yeti. In these parts, we also have chips flavoured like Roast Chicken and Fries and Gravy, and soft drinks like Pineapple Crush. 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. 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. 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. Canadians (or at least southern Ontarians) say it like soe-ry and I know that some other places say it like sah-ry. Practicing Canadian Slang Download Article 1 Find a language buddy online. We use terms like sneakers and running shoes as well, but something about saying runners is apparently distinctly Canadian. Here are a few of the staple Canadian slang words used daily. Also: Canuck though the term will probably be more of how others call us. Make sure that you do! How To Type Letters with Accents on a Computer. If you still don't know what a Canadian insult is, you should look at what everybody's posting, as they're all good examples of Canadian insults. 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. Freezies are what Americans call ice pops, freeze pops or otter pops. A Vancouver special is a type of house with no basement where the first floor is rented out. As a Brit. =-. Larger places like Toronto have gained many slang nicknames over the years, some of which are starting to fade. Hillbilly Slang. You may just pick a few to use whenever you hang out with your close buddies as long they are open-minded. Midwesterners call in pop, East Coast/West Coast call it soda, and Southerners call in coke (i.e. Common Canadian Slang Sorry Canadians are also known for being polite, and 'Sorry' is commonly used in Canada. However we do say About different from Americans. See coming into force provision and notes, where applicable. http://www.ibackpackcanada.com/2009/06/unique-canadian-words-phrases-planetd.html. Usually on a rigid frame. 2. They didnt want to miss the movie so they would use (the males) an empty can of soda and pee into it. , Youre pretty good at wrestlin there, Katy, and thats what I appreciate about you. Seemy Disclosure Policyfor more information. Badass female expat with a passion for making new countries my home. Seriously. 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. EX 2: would u like some Pok for dinner? 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Buttertarts are Canadian and the term courier eg, FedEx, etc. It typically refers to students who are teachers pets or trying to be. My favourite Canadian slang term that I use all the time even though I dont often wear them! KD is a childhood classic thats become a university classicand now a Canadian classic. It refers to the citys Ukrainian population apparently. My friend asked me Whats that? 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. 17. funkme1ster 10 yr. ago. It softens the expression and instead of it sounding like a command, it becomes more like a persuasion. While you can still find them on Canadian slang posts or the Wikipedia about Canadian language, Ive genuinely never heard them used before. 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). 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. And Canadian company Ganong claims to have invented to chocolate bar,so I think that give our name precedence, dont you? Americans looking to take a trip across their country's northern border might find themselves bewildered by some Canadian turns of phrase. Despite all their teasing, it is actually a term we use. We have some very unique Canadian Sayings and Phrases. Hi. But when an American pronounces those words, there is a huge difference. Any ideas ? Here you will learn about the most important words in this part of the language. Now before visiting Canada, you can practice your use of the word eh and fit right in once you get here. Australian Swear Words Even though Australia is an English-speaking country, there are many differences when it comes to slang and cuss words. My husband will occasionaly say Zee (too much American Tv, I guess)and I always correct him. Alaskas coldest high temperature was -66 F the next day in Allakaket. Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake helped get this horrible fashion choice into the mainstream, but it continues to be a thing in Canada. I dont believe that those words are appropriate for the world I want to live in or for the future Canada is moving towards. . If you eat the toe, youll be fined HEAVILY. Drinking Miller you pussy!!!!! It still does, but sweatpants have become more prominent. Usually, the entertaining statement is funny in some way, but Ive seen it used kind of like lol where you just dont really have another response. They are discussed in a separate chapter because they have their own usage and inflection. POPi dunno if this is accurate but i notice most americans and ppl from other countries call it sodaPOP! Thanks John, I am always learning so much on this blog. Pop is a Canadian thing and everyone else says soda. <>
When I first started traveling 10 years ago, I said to myself, Well, I better buy a new knapsack to carry everything.. a Coke-Cola or a Pespi coke). Damn. Either way, I hope you laugh and learn while reading this guide to 100+ Canadian slang words. In Canada, we call it a washroom. Hi Dave by is pronounced like bye with a short e (not pronounced haha)there is also a nice mix of eh by. For those of us non-affluent hosers, we have to settle for the ever-popular above-grounder that sticks up a few feet and has no true foundation or base. It refers to the liquor vendors store shortened to just the vendors here. This is absolutely not a stereotype or misconception, you can verify this yourself with google earths aerial photography. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. Ive been saying it for years and annoying my dad that I wont just say shoes, but apparently I was being patriotic the whole time! The specific Canadian slang terms vary from region to region with some slang being used universally across Canada. Its become part of our daily language. Goof. Watch the same movie several times. Common UK Expressions. It might be I go to the U of R. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. I didnt realize it originated in Detroit, however I have heard a lot of people from Michigan say pop too so that explains it! Mainly refers to youngsters who commit petty crimes. Are the washrooms comfortable in the Philippines? When I see toque, it makes me think that it is pronounced more like Toke, or took. Check out my Comprehensive Guide to Canadian Cuisine, Plan a Winter Weekend in Toronto with my itinerary, Head to cottage country to Discover Muskoka, Learn what its really like to live her with my 10 Pros and Cons to Living in Canada, Stuff yourself with my guide on Where to Eat in Toronto for All Budgets, Find out my 51 Favourite Things to do in Halifax, Think you know all there is to know about Canada? Take a look below at some of the most priceless Canadian slang words and where they came from. For BC, that means that the whole country is out east. I didnt realize that we are the only people in the world that call their electricity Hydro. Americans often make fun of Canadians for saying aboot rather than about. Close, but we actually pronounce it aboat., yep, my dad says clicks all the time living room anyone? Honestly, I dont think Ive heard too many people use that one except when mimicking Bob & Doug (which, admittedly, people do a lot). Ive always loved them because it lets me sample a bunch of doughnut flavours when Im too indecisive to pick one. If anything, we say a-boat or, more accurately, a-beh-out. HuffPost Canada. Weve experienced winter in Alberta and trust me, its cold. Many people wear a denim shirt with denim pants and/or a denim jacket. When you become a Newfoundlander, you have to drink Screech and kiss a cod (a dead fish theyve got sitting around at the bar). British Columbia. Used as a negative, it basically means "idiot." When used positively, it's a phrase of light endearment. We have Chinook winds in here in Alaska, though not so much here in Fairbanks. Its basically two loonies, so we came up with toonie. Kitty-corner refers to something diagonally across the street from you. I find a lot of this familiar. If you want to learn Australian curse words, read on. A Molson Muscle refers to a beer belly, typically acquired by drinking too much Molson beer. They dont have dill pickle, ketchup and all dressed chips in other countries?? They are the Canadian version of the FBI and deal with a lot of serious crimes. If you dont expect it, its weird to see homo milk laid out in an aisle of the grocery story. He was a town blacksmith, along with his father William, in Van Kleek Hill, and continued the trade here in Manlius, when they emigrated in the 40s. A right of passage in Canada was bringing timbits into your school classes. Allophone is new to me too and so is coulee. Masi - Thank you, from the French word "Merci." Masi! Except kids falling off bikes, maybe. Im going out in the yard to talk to Ellen but well only bat the fat for a few minutes. taking a shower, and a nap. I love this post! Ive found them most common in the Prairies although the Maritimes was full of them in Fall. 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/. To Canadians a backpack is often called a knapsack. 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. 2023 Readers Digest Magazines Ltd. - All rights reserved, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). Buy your own Canadian tuque on Amazon. Disclosure: I censored this post to remove any derogatory words or terms rooted in racism (youd be surprised how many I had to cut). Its what Canadians call a beer belly. Pronounced sky-vee, this east coast word refers to someone untrustworthy or sneaky. Dont forget the iconic Nova Scotia toast sociable! Starlight, star bright, why the f**k you got earrings on? This is another holdover from our British colonizers but weve seemed to up the ante over the years and now have them beat for politeness (maybe because we didnt invade most of the world just saying). [1] The term Kanuck is first recorded in 1835 as an Americanism, originally referring to Dutch Canadians (which included German Canadians) or French Canadians. Incidentally, anyone wanting a primer is Scots, I recommend watching Rab C Nesbitt on Youtube. I also remember that the term sled was not a toboggan, but a ski-do. Growing up I was 100% a keener. Can someone explain to me the reason for the cultural fascination that affluent Qubcois have with wanting to have back yard swimming pools? Everyone in Kansas calls it pop. We dont call it our electric bill. Its not the original any longer. So no, all Canadians dont use hoser as classic slang. See you next time and happy Canada day, eh? http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/6521/what-are-the-important-differences-between-canadian-and-american-usa-english, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/discover/section-13.asp, http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/slang/canadian-slang-by-region.html, http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/michelle-butterfield/canadian-prairies-words-slangs_b_4166204.html, http://www.strategiesinlanguagelearning.com/movies_to_learn_language/. It has a picture of a Loon on it. This can range from a car being a beauty (sometimes just beaut depending on the accent) to someone who did something nice for you. 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. You look like a 12-year-old Dutch girl. How fun! In the US, youd never use the word this way. "Cuzo". maybe schoolbooks. We would pronounce leisure to rhyme with seizure (Americans would rhyme it with measure). Anything other than "Sorry" when you bump into someone. Did it get around I wonder ?? It insinuates that shes only interested in the game due to attraction to the players or attempting to date the players. Its most used when referring to the Vancouver Canucks hockey team rather than individuals nowadays. Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. Although its very possible that young people dont use it anymore, when I was growing up in virginia, we always called them the funnies. If you are a regular who watches this series, then certain phrases from the show will not shock you. Speaking of booze, we also have something that is called a Mickey in Canada. Some people in Canada call it Dinner, but not as often. Northern slang for frozen whale skin and blubber. Lol! People must be pretty confused when we tell them: A Coffee Crisp costs about a Loonie, pretty good deal eh? Or, Id like a dozen Timbits with a large double double please. What on earth does that mean? 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. A toque is a knit winter hat like a beanie. Shown are three slurs for Jews: "kangaroo," "pot of glue," and "eskimo." The first two are Cockney rhyming slang, the latter is South African. The Canadian definition of keener was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2015. Rink rat is a term for someone who spends a lot of time at hockey arenas. Pencil crayons are what Americans call colored pencils and the British call colouring pencils. 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. 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. .-= John Bardos JetSetCitizens last blog ..Interview with World Travelers, Uncornered Market =-. They change from province to province and city to city without much notice. Its just what we call km. So its possible to have a conversation with an American and think youre talking about the same thing, when in fact its two completely different types of candy! They use bathrooms, and restrooms, I have seen water closet used around the world and The British love to say The Loo But I never see washroom. Being born in Alberta, Canada my parents often talked about Chinooks blowingin from the mountains and how nice it was. If youre concerned about that expanding gut of yours, many restaurants offer a healthier, vegetarian gravy substitute. Let me explain. Means go for it or help yourself, especially when referring to food. 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.. I don't think I've ever used the word myself, but "chesterfield" for couch. , Thanks Robert! Its funny how something so commonplace to us became such an ordeal to figure out. I just saw a comment on digg and they are soooo right. This cold region has unique slang with British, French, and indigenous influences. I rest my case. When we pay our utilities each month, we pay our hydro bill. All rights reserved. Check out the insults below. I didnt think that they made those anymore! Its delicious. Jurons, as Qubecois swears and insults are called, are used to add color to everyday conversations. All these phrases start somewhere (sometimes, like good ideas, they might pop up simultaneously in a population pressed by the same daily stresses), one of my own concoctions was slender vittles for tall lanky women. Im with you, Im having a nap and a shower:). Northern Canadians use ever before words to add emphasis, sort of like saying very. I would correct your comment regarding where Canadians buy their beer. Over time, we gave the word Canuck a totally . Oh, I have oneserviette!! Muskoka chairs are classic wooden chairs made for lounging. Cant go to work if you dont have a crummy! Hmmm, kinda hard to sound it outkinda like boy without the o. There you have it. 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! Thanks for sharing Robert and I totally know all of them. Yes! For the Maritimes, the rest of the country is out west. Also works as youre an idiot, but use a different tone. _+t!BN]G^l.oH t&N$f +/\K6Z
A]o~RfV>s o`Y{450tuUP"d=z$\:Mwr%RTGD! Write by: . Fun article but many manyof the claims in the comments are not solely Canadian. That expression is used but not so common with the younger generation. 10 yr. ago. Moving abroad? I often think one thing and then write another. 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). It doesnt have the same zing when singing the alphabet song, but we do stick with zed. Or get free accommodations with Trusted Housesitters! This is a BC-specific term that means impressive or exceptional. ), and will also say that Ive brought Poutine to Australia, and they dig it here. As you can tell, I have a special relationship with out and about, since I named my blog after it. Huh, the things you learn writing a blog post:-), Ive been so busy picking up (and writing about) words from different countries, that I realize Ive forsaken my own Canadian heritage! haha, thanks Steph. Oh, Im stomping the brakes, put that idea right through the f**king windshield. , F**k you, Jonesy! Most Americans just lines, Very true, we have definitely heard the term chesterfield a lot. (Read more). Thanks Candice, I am going to start using By. . No one can deny the magical relationship between french fries and ketchup. Here are a few of the staple Canadian slang words used daily. Mmm Yummy. Toronto. Ha, love this! Its a lot more fun when youre of legal drinking age. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Now you can use it to deke out of a meeting or deke around traffic through shortcuts. Growing up Canadian, I figured all of our terms came from America and Britain. It's the native language of approximately 7.3 million Canadians, comprising 20.6% of the Canadian population. 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. I thought that the US called it a bathroom and a restroom. Well, if you are a regular fan of the show, you probably are conversant with Letterkenny slang. Whether youre visiting Toronto or exploring the Yukon, these colloquial terms are recognized everywhere. Colorful Biker Slang. We love Keiths it is one of our favourite beers. I wrote a bit of a write up about you two on my blog as well, along with a link to this post. I dont know if its uniquely Canadian but Ive heard clicks used quite a bit instead of kilometres.