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. We love our hockey almost as much as we love our Timmies. To give you a more in-depth look at how we talk, Ive included some interesting Canadian terms. If you tripped, you biffed it. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. We are learning so much. We have some very unique Canadian Sayings and Phrases. Another term I had no idea was very Canadian-specific! 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. What do you call Pepsi and similar? Guide to 100+ Canadian Slang: Unique Canadian Sayings and Phrases You A puck bunny is a derogatory term for a female fan of hockey. One win. I remember chesterfield from my early childhood in the 70s. I was in my 20s before I learned that was a Saskatchewan expression :S. Thanks Andre, I have heard of BunnyHugs. "Cuzo". I learned a only a few years ago that 'goof' is Canadian prison . Its basically two loonies, so we came up with toonie. They usually sell alcohol so it can also be used to refer to a liquor store. Enjoyed this post! Buttertarts are Canadian and the term courier eg, FedEx, etc. One fellow was described as a Canadian Baby, maybe a typical personal crack, not the photography company which apparently started in 1965. It implies that shes only there for the cowboys, which isnt always the case. Thanks for the additions. Edmonton. I think its fascinating how terms develop and change over time and across borders. The Edge from U2 often wears a tuque, and Jacques Cousteau always wore a tuque. , Whats up with your body hair, you big shoots? PDF Commonly used Canadian-English Slang and Phrases Heres another great Canadian phrase for you, the Molson Muscle. To us, a beauty is something that has done well or a great person. Good one! This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Although no country is perfect, and Canada has its share of domestic problems, like others, it is still one of the best on planet earth. While I know it is used in at least Ontario (where I have family), it originated in Detroit, where Im from. And what we call colleges are their community colleges. Write by: . So thanks! I should have put that in. If only Id known I was mimicking Canadians, I could have had a much happier childhood. My Canadian squeamishness is long gone now of course. I didnt think of that one. Backpack = Soft bodied, the same or a bit larger than a knapsack. It is in fact a real human toe thats been mummified or preserved. Chocolate, therefore they should be called chocolate bars. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Grits are members of the Liberal party of Canada. Hopefully that is a sign that we are moving away from this negative language and moving towards more positive, inclusive terms that are fun for all like bunnyhug! And i notice that those of us who lived in northern ON say packsackbut no one else does! This foul term has the approximate weight of "holy sh*t" or "holy f*ck" in English. I went my entire childhood and a large portion of my adult life not realizing that this was a word only used in Canada. Its become part of our daily language. If youre concerned about that expanding gut of yours, many restaurants offer a healthier, vegetarian gravy substitute. I just saw a comment on digg and they are soooo right. Honestly, I dont think Ive heard too many people use that one except when mimicking Bob & Doug (which, admittedly, people do a lot). All Canadians know that we have a vast northern landscape, but hardly any of us actually visit it. That comes from our history fur trading. My friend asked me Whats that? I said it! Its a military short form that weve adopted as a country. Or when in university, a 1st year or 2nd year student. In the Ottawa Valley, the accent is heavily influenced by the Irish who settled the area. I didnt realize that we are the only people in the world that call their electricity Hydro. You asked about more slang. Get some good Canadian beer and then think about calling yourself a Canadian man!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is, after all, a . I am not sure if its Canadian slang or Not havent heard It elsewhere, the word is tad. I thought it was hilarious that toque is a ski cap in the States. 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. Oh the numerous words we have for our winter supplies. Last Updated: February 25, 2023 This is another one of those American-entertainment terms. Pronounced sky-vee, this east coast word refers to someone untrustworthy or sneaky. Canadians have come up with a variety of nicknames for the provinces, cities, and towns we live in. 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. A word from Newfoundland meaning pretty obviously someone whos stupid. Also: Canuck though the term will probably be more of how others call us. Wonder if she put that shes bilingual on her resume. Letterkenny quotes will remind any lover of the Canadian comedy series why they watch the show in the first place. Distinctly Canadian words: Jagged pronounced JAGD as in tagged. We apologize, but for some reason its ingrained in us! In Ontario, we are run by Ontario Hydro. It seems to relate to their Irish ancestry. Ive always loved them because it lets me sample a bunch of doughnut flavours when Im too indecisive to pick one. My favourite Canadian slang term that I use all the time even though I dont often wear them! Canadians call our Candy Bars Chocolate Bars and I like it like that. Wed use it asheading to the vendors, want anything? Just ran across this article and had to respond to pop. It's the native language of approximately 7.3 million Canadians, comprising 20.6% of the Canadian population. One chance. Hi Virey, I am not sure what that means, Id have to see more of the poem in context. These words are all interchangeable for underwear, think tight whities. Im sorry that these terms existed in our history. For example, Qubec does not speak English and won't have many expressions originating from British Columbia. Not a common term in Southern Ontario. Canada. In addition to regional slang variations, there are some Canadian slang words universally understood throughout the country. As a Brit. Weve experienced winter in Alberta and trust me, its cold. Here is what we recommend: Need more help planning your trip? Contact | Insultint | St. Catharines | Niagara History of American Slang Words. Pshhh. It may be a holdover from our British colonialism or due to the French populations of Canada. I know youre not leaving them to freeze for hockey rinks in the winter, that wont work! Having worked in NYC, I was surprised how many unique Canadian words and references exist. I am thinking that perhaps it is a uniform? 'a#Mm1U%UNa xR/P?lpfn[yVSsHoB*i{?'%88? Just a tad, you you like some dessert? Here are a few examples of his sayings that you can easily relate with. It can now be confused with the term joggers for baggy womens pants. I dont know what I was thinking of hahah. It's similar to ' white trash ,' poor people in the USA. Previous Versions. When I made statements like Its cold tonight, I should have packed my tuque, People looked at me like I was from another planet. If you want to develop a Canadian accent, try to say the lines along with the actors on the third or fourth viewing. You ever hoover schneef off a sleeping cows spine? . Bet your lobes aint the only thing that got a hole punched in em. So no, all Canadians dont use hoser as classic slang. They are changing to convenience stores, but in small town Alberta you will still see a Confectionary store. I should a make a video of this. 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. Nina Out and About contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. In Quebec, people take the Metro instead of the subway, belong to syndicates instead of unions, and attend reunions instead of meetings. If youve ever watched an American version of Canadians then youve seen this. 4) Hella great place." How fun! Im with you, Im having a nap and a shower:). Chesterfield! 17 slang words every Montrealer should know - Time Out Montreal The GTA stands for the Greater Toronto Area. To understand Canadian slang, you'll need to learn phrases used across the country such as "Eh?" By the great horned spoon, youve grown so tall! . Two-four was a big one for me back in the day. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,101,656 times. 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. Is there a way to write it phonetically? , F**k you, Jonesy! The red Mountie uniform is a classic sign of Canada. 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. 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. It is because it is a holiday to celebrate our great Canadian Beer. Chesterfields are sofas or couches. Its basically just a hoodie! Thanks for sharing! Do you want to munch out with me tonight? 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. In my four years in Nova Scotia, my accent changed and my vocabulary widened. I didnt know this was a Canadian thing for a long time. Common UK Expressions. 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? Finally they said Why do you say clicks we replied I dont know. . Im American but my parents are from Canada and I went to grade school in that country. Toonie (as I prefer to spell it) comes from Loonie. We call them snowbirds since they seem to migrate like birds. As a general rule, though, Toronto Maple Leafs insults can fly pretty much anywhere across the country, even in Toronto where fans mostly have a sense of humour. Another is using the word line-up as a noun. Does that mean brother, buddy, or what?? Note: this is not to be confused with May two-four (24) weekend, which is a holiday in Canada. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! These are a few examples of slang in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Typically its an outdoor structure, but we use it interchangeably to refer to an underground parking garage as well. Some women enjoy the term and self-identify as puck bunnies (especially wives of famous hockey players). Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Do they serve ice-cream? Another funny one a grader/back hoe. If you want to learn Australian curse words, read on. We have Chinook winds in here in Alaska, though not so much here in Fairbanks. 14 Canadian Things Brutally Roasted By Urban Dictionary Practicing Canadian Slang Download Article 1 Find a language buddy online. I know our American friends rhyme the alphabet and sing x, y, zee, but we say Zed. Heres a fast fact. 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). I can find streets in places like Laval where every home has a swimming pool. As a general rule, though, Toronto Maple Leafs insults can fly pretty much anywhere across the country, even in Toronto where fans mostly have a sense of humour. Americans looking to take a trip across their country's northern border might find themselves bewildered by some Canadian turns of phrase. The loonie.. My family always used that word for a weed wacker. Although Newfoundland isnt technically a Maritime province because it joined Canada after the Maritime treaty, it tends to be included. I often think one thing and then write another. I dont know if this is common elsewhere, but in Canada we celebrate our champagne birthday with extra fan fair. Yes! Wizard Is used as an adjective here in Canada, and I saw a movie where someones neibour commented, thats wizard, like he was saying that it was cool. Ive never heard a Canadian use this phrase. Of course, every country has the term beauty or some form of it. I agree, soda is weird to my ears. especially for school aged kids. Now you know. It might be I go to the U of R. I will point out that, while people in Alberta do not say aboot, people in eastern Canada do. Americans often mock them on television, treating them more like camp rangers, when in fact that do a lot of very difficult work. They have no chocolate in them. Its just what we call km. So lets look at some regional Canadian sayings! Hopefully that all made sense. Larger places like Toronto have gained many slang nicknames over the years, some of which are starting to fade. 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! It can also be a derogatory term for supporters of the Bloc Quebecois. Whipper snipper! taking a shower, and a nap. Dave and I would say things like the next town is about 50 clicks away. However, if youre ordering fries and youre asked if youd like poutine instead, your answer should always be yes. Without yeast, sourdough was the only kind of bread they could make. Often its not even a true or false statement! yes, I think that Dante may have thought this was about words in general, which is ok with us. For the uninitiated, poutine is a common Canadian dish that consists of french fries topped with squeaky cheese curds and gravy. Urban Dictionary: hoser Ingredient Disclosure List The term university is limited to schools which offer four-year, degree programs. Can you think of any other Canadian sayingsthat are unique to your region or the country? It refers to the liquor vendors store shortened to just the vendors here. 3. 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. Only seen those in Alberta. Pogey refers to unemployment. Its not the same as whole milk, so we came up with a short form. Thanks Candice, I am going to start using By. Theres also prairie oysters which are a bulls casterated testicles (sounds gross, I know), sasquatch which is like a yeti, thong which is slang for flip-flops or sandels and I think the former name of Toronto is Motown so yeah, theres another one lol. Do you have any favourite Letterkenny Wayne quotes you feel should not miss on our list? Joggers used to mean sweatpants. Because of that, many Michiganders and people from the upper Midwest say Pop. Some people in Canada call it Dinner, but not as often. Some additional comments from this Newfietry adding some turkey dressing to your poutine. Its part of their tradition (much like the sour toe shot). Timbits are essentially a doughnut hole (as Americans would know them). Thanks! 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. Now you can use it to deke out of a meeting or deke around traffic through shortcuts. They change from province to province and city to city without much notice. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. The lexicography team for the Canadian Oxford Dictionary tell me the . If youre from abroad, read on to see the crazy sayings we use and think are normal! See coming into force provision and notes, where applicable. This is most often said by hockey dads from what I can tell. Timmies (among other nicknames) refers to Canadas largest coffee and doughnut chain, Tim Hortons. maybe schoolbooks. , If I was a Dr. Seuss book, Id be The Fat in the Hat. Serviettes are napkins. (score! Australian Swear Words Even though Australia is an English-speaking country, there are many differences when it comes to slang and cuss words. Always fun to hear about what is different in each country and area that they live in. Its what Canadians call a beer belly. Shown are three slurs for Jews: "kangaroo," "pot of glue," and "eskimo." The first two are Cockney rhyming slang, the latter is South African. x\n9}7Gi[7eg"ag[+[YI~d_I+"o,Nob6.OO("3i2.OO%{<=xzrNdp7*rR\x{~`/;(/BG?lo'PNOYxi}l Qx?TCAOZ/umOd0= ~>NdgGL+zt})bZz,3YSEr 3/n*=MiZlr^)$z1}2h3],S4n&(1@6/s%$d.6^j.y^K9"sVKjb Yes In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. Excellent additions and very accurate. Quebec is the only place in North America where Pepsi has traditionally outsold Coke. In America, Soda is more prevalent in the West Coast and the Eastern Seaboard. A keener is sort of a mix between a know-it-all and a goody-two-shoes. You are so right. However other provinces have different arrangments. lol. And wish sometimes others would say it just a little bit. Thanks for sharing Robert and I totally know all of them. A half-sack of beer is half a dozen. 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. French Canadians: A derivative of Pepsi. Accents and slang develop differently in each city and province, creating a great tapestry of Canadian dialects. (oops, maybe the French use them, too?). Thats when I realized that Canadians are strange. 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. My wife and I are getting ready to move to Canada after leaving 5 years ago. In the US, what they call Smarties, we call Rockets. 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? CHESTERFIELD!!!! I was surprised to see the word Toilet used so much. 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. Help fellow Canadians! Everything is east or west of you. . Hahaha, theres also several ways you can use it. There I said it! Maybe it is only in Quebec, Are they? That is a good one, my family calls them that too, I didnt think of that one. Ive hoovered schneef off an awake cows t**t. You knew your pal had come into money when he started throwing out perfectly good pistachios like he was above cracking em open with a box cutter like the rest of us. This is our phrase we use when we go to buy beer at the beer store. We sometimes shorten it to uni. You can have the alcohol of your choice, drink it fast or slow, but your lips must touch the toe. The thing about zed and zee is it makes more sense to pronounce it zee when singing the alphabet song, otherwise it sounds ridiculous. A bunnyhug is a pullover sweatshirt with no zipper. Boy, its a newphie term for boys. Tell the bys Im cooking dinner. I was stunned when my solder friend told me that theres a Tim Hortons at his base in Afghanistan, he even took some pics for me. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. In Quebec, it has become a very popular swear word used to express anger, annoyance or surprise. A Mickey is about a flask-sized measure of alcohol that you can buy from the grocery store. Did it get around I wonder ?? That package is going to be smaller than the one youre sportin now. Tim Hortons is such an intrinsic part of Canada that weve built it into the dialogue. This refers to anyone from the Maritime provinces in Atlantic Canada. Generally speaking, these are Canadian slang terms used across the country. 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. I didnt realize it originated in Detroit, however I have heard a lot of people from Michigan say pop too so that explains it! During the Mongol Rally our team mates were American and they asked us why we kept saying clicks. Pop is a Canadian thing and everyone else says soda. Eh This is our most popular Canadian saying that we receive the most flack about from the rest of the world. chemo cheemoback in the seventies someone tried to promote an inuit? . It might be a Britishism but its also Canadian. Toronto has started trying to co-opt it, but Vancouverites still hold on to the term. We used knapsack as well, but also used the other terms. Here, a recent Canadian immigrant shares what he wishes hed known before moving to Canada. I explained that once she gets there, shell have to learn Canadian and she could then say that shes bilingual. Its been pretty cold in Scotland but I hear its nothing compared to Edmontons weather. Most people not from Canada can figure out what most of the slang means. Canadian words, phrases or slang that most Americans wouldn - reddit 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. Calgary, due to the stampede and its cattle history. They also like pumpkin pie.thats 2 for Canada!). Northern Canadians use ever before words to add emphasis, sort of like saying very. A term for an anglophone in Quebec. Looking to book your next trip? In the US, college and university can mean the same thing since a university is a universe of colleges. Check out these quirky Canadian town names. Most people that love this show tune in just to hear their characters say their favourite phrases. Are the washrooms comfortable in the Philippines? 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. If you are a regular who watches this series, then certain phrases from the show will not shock you. , Buddy, you couldnt wheel a f**kin tire down a hill. . By now most of the world knows the Canadian tuxedo: wearing an all-denim outfit. So, come lah, come visit Malaysia and see for yourself. Thanks for the information Zach. 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. 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. Rink rat is a term for someone who spends a lot of time at hockey arenas. Cheers! Soobviously a Loonie would be the next choice right? Homosexual Slang Terms. For example, if youre born on July 15th, your 15th birthday is your champagne birthday. Youre bound to get some major eye rolls. He had never heard that expression before! We have Toffee Crisps here (must be close) and Smarties too, but cant remember the last time I saw them on sale. 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. Ah! I would correct your comment regarding where Canadians buy their beer. Quebecois Swear Words that Confuse the French - Culture Trip Or Im getting my degree from Ohio State. Id like to do one just for Newfoundland words. Or brains. But when you hear someone use the word as Im finishing university, its a clear tell that they are from Canada. Canadian Racial Slurs - Canadian Culture - CKA A nickname for Halifax, Nova Scotia. 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.