our Beloved Smarties, how could you Shannon??? I went my entire childhood and a large portion of my adult life not realizing that this was a word only used in Canada. Rink rat is a term for someone who spends a lot of time at hockey arenas. No waywe ended up calling it a Toonie, because Toonie rhymes with Loonie, and we Canadians like things that rhyme. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Hold doors open for people and, even if someone stumbles into you, apologize. Even though the series has been around for quite some time, fans still ask, is Letterkenny over? Ive tested it with friends and everyone agrees it is pronounced JAGD not JAG ed as in the adjective. To use these services you will need a computer and a microphone. One fellow was described as a Canadian Baby, maybe a typical personal crack, not the photography company which apparently started in 1965. I dont hear anyone call it soda. Its more likely that if you hear someone say they are going north, they mean north of their current location. Farmers Tan a tan that stops just below your shoulder due to wearing t-shirts too much. Toonie (as I prefer to spell it) comes from Loonie. Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. A right of passage in Canada was bringing timbits into your school classes. However, older generations sometimes call U.S. residents Yankees.. , And I suggest you let that one marinate. We all call it May 2-4 Weekend, because that is exactly what we do on long weekends. Australian Swear Words Even though Australia is an English-speaking country, there are many differences when it comes to slang and cuss words. If not, make sure to show your partner that you appreciate their time by sending them a thank-you note. A Mountie is a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Lil Peeps girlfriend's timeline: who has the late rapper dated? Wed use it asheading to the vendors, want anything? Washroom? Anyone from Nova Scotia. I genuinely thought everyone had this term. , Its like algebrawhy you gotta put numbers and letters together? Not because it is the Queens birthday. Most people not from Canada can figure out what most of the slang means. Check out Grammar Girl. my grandma also calls couches CHESTERFIELDS! I now use the term Backpack more often but I havent been able to say the term Rucksack, it is just odd to me. Nova Scotian slang for someone who is sketchy or greasy. I dont believe that those words are appropriate for the world I want to live in or for the future Canada is moving towards. 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. It means homogenized milk, or milk with 3.25% fat thats blended in differently than in 2% milk. Find the best local tours with this search engine (and the best deals)! . Someone who tries just a little too hard, sucking up to an authority figure and showing off how much they know. Thanks Candice, I am going to start using By. Ive certainly been greeted with baffled expressions anytime I slip up and say that abroad. The word pop to refer to what we know as soft drinks is traceable back to Faygo, a Detroit, Michigan company. 3 0 obj
Its like the American Big Foot or the northern Yeti. Excellent contributions Carolyn. Some people in Canada call it Dinner, but not as often. This jacket is typically checkered with large black and red or green squares. The other ones arent ringing a bell though, Im afraid. So true! Nina Out and About contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. , Oh, come on, kitten. I love this! This article captures many Letterkenny sayings you may have become accustomed to. If you want a home-y feeling, check out VRBO (which is cheaper and safer than Airbnb). If you are a regular who watches this series, then certain phrases from the show will not shock you. They didnt want to miss the movie so they would use (the males) an empty can of soda and pee into it. Also: ginch (ies) or gonch (ies). How about hoser from the MacKenzie brothers? In Quebec, people take the Metro instead of the subway, belong to syndicates instead of unions, and attend reunions instead of meetings. endobj
When we pay our utilities each month, we pay our hydro bill. Anyways . Americans often mock them on television, treating them more like camp rangers, when in fact that do a lot of very difficult work. Thanks. I rest my case. It doesnt matter where you are, thats the middle. Its more common to use it for men as it was derived when it was less popular for women to play hockey. Boy, its a newphie term for boys. Tell the bys Im cooking dinner. Theres happiness calling my name from the bottom of a bottle of Puppers. 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). SOS I am translating WW1 poems by Canadians, soldiers or civilians . From a fellow Canadian residing temporarily in the U.S., Smarties in the U.S. are not the same. Yes, but only if you live north of Hwy. Having worked in NYC, I was surprised how many unique Canadian words and references exist. 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. I can find streets in places like Laval where every home has a swimming pool. 4) Hella great place." Tuque is the French spelling but the English have adopted Toque and even Touque. Perhaps you could offer cross-cultural courses around the world for Canadian companies . I thought that the US called it a bathroom and a restroom. , 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. They also refer to their islands and the island (Vancouver Island) differently depending on where they live in the province. It's a term of affection like "bro" or "my dude.". Whereas, in the South, Coke has become the generic term for all soft drinks, regardless of brand. More specifically, it is a coffee with a double shot of cream and sugar. I love this post! Quebec French profanities, [1] known as sacres (singular: sacre; French: sacrer, "to consecrate"), are words and expressions related to Catholicism and its liturgy that are used as strong profanities in Quebec French (the main variety of Canadian French) and in Acadian French (spoken in Maritime Provinces, east of Quebec, and a small portion of I kind of like comfort room. Take off and tuques were perfectly normal. Wonder if she put that shes bilingual on her resume. Fun article but many manyof the claims in the comments are not solely Canadian. A Newfoundland insult meaning someone whos too lazy to go fishing. "Cuzo". LOL , How about some French words that are spoken by English speakers. Starlight, star bright, why the f**k you got earrings on? My friend asked me Whats that? 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. My parents always used the term chesterfield instead of couch/sofa. When the fields are plowed, especially the cornfields, it looks like stubble. Canadians dont say about. Its a very old term that has mostly fallen out of fashion. My grandma also calls her sofa a Davenport. .-= Shannon ODs last blog ..A Little WarmthA Wee Bit of Irish Hospitality =-. It is very typical for a Canadian to say I need to use the can in reference to washroom. Dont forget the iconic Nova Scotia toast sociable! Dinner, backpack, Robe (my household says robe, but others respond with Ooohh.. you mean a house coat?) Fortunately, no, it is not over. We also use the word by instead of eh. Its kinda like a term of endearment, Whatta ya at, by? As in Whats up, friend? .-= Candices last blog ..Lend me your ears. I would correct your comment regarding where Canadians buy their beer. Buy your own Canadian tuque on Amazon. Accents and slang develop differently in each city and province, creating a great tapestry of Canadian dialects. Even though all of our population is gathered towards the south of the country, theres still a lot of country there. So, dont say a-boot unless you want to get kicked by one. What is the Canadian slang for giving credit? Buttertarts are Canadian and the term courier eg, FedEx, etc. Eh This is our most popular Canadian saying that we receive the most flack about from the rest of the world. I think most Canadians would call it a couch today, certainly not sofa. I just replied about this on another comment but I think you are right. 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. But we do call ZZ Top Zee Zee Top, that would just be wrong to change their name. 4 0 obj
Over time, the line between proper English and slang becomes blurred, and many slang words become part of the larger language. Usually on a rigid frame. So out east is the Maritimes from Ontario. They mock us by using "eh" in the most ridiculous phrases and they never get it right. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Although it is a manufactured made up word, it is Canada in a nutshell. 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. For example, you can use it when something is incredulous. Nobody can do without their Timmies. Canadians would also pronounce the past tense of shine (shone) to rhyme with dawn versus the American bone. Many affluent Canadians love their swimming pools. But when an American pronounces those words, there is a huge difference. Its unclear where this term came from but from what I can tell no actual hangings were involved (whew!). <>
So lets dive in to learn the most popular Canadian slang words! And yeah, it definitely gets *cold* herecoldest recorded temperature was -80 F, set back in Camp Prospect in January 1971. They are changing to convenience stores, but in small town Alberta you will still see a Confectionary store. Just ran across this article and had to respond to pop. Do you have any favourite Letterkenny Wayne quotes you feel should not miss on our list? It typically refers to students who are teachers pets or trying to be. French Canadians: A derivative of Pepsi. Either way, I hope you laugh and learn while reading this guide to 100+ Canadian slang words. Canadian slang isn't as obvious as other country's. We use the terms so simply that people barely register them. See you next time and happy Canada day, eh? As with all slang, and especially that of nationality, . Kitty-corner refers to something diagonally across the street from you. Id call it courting but its never as romantic or reserved. It refers to the 6 neighbourhoods that merged to make up Toronto. Same with merry, Mary, and marry. I didnt know that there was an American Smarties. endobj
With a multicultural society centered around the simple things in lifeleisure, friendly competition, and politenessit's no coincidence these are reflected in the common tongue. Stereotypical softdrink of choice (considered quite insulting). They all said cone. If you lose one in a lawn mowing accident or to frostbite, send it over to the Yukon and theyll put it to good use. A Mickey is about a flask-sized measure of alcohol that you can buy from the grocery store. Or do you want to come over for supper? Jurons, as Qubecois swears and insults are called, are used to add color to everyday conversations. From ordering your coffee double double to wearing your toque in the winter well, that's just so Canadian. We say do you wanna pop?, I stumbled on this doing research on the usage of the word pop. chemo cheemoback in the seventies someone tried to promote an inuit? This show would best be recommended for adults only because of the content. Eh. Everyone always makes fun of us. Indeed, I think there ought to be a law against Canadian broadcasters ever saying zee! Mmm, Pineapple Crush sounds great and I believe you, Turkey dressing sounds like it would be a nice addition to poutine! Do you say supper? These are Canadas most unique restaurants. Or the UK. If your phone doesnt work in Canada, I recommend getting a Canadian SIM card so you can get around and stay in contact with loved ones. Typically its an outdoor structure, but we use it interchangeably to refer to an underground parking garage as well. I also just recently realize that they call it a toilet around most of the rest of the world, including Australia. Read on to find out if yours made it to the list of the best 35 quotes from the show below. 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! Posts must be Canadian insults. This is both a slang and a trend among Canadian men. Too bad, you werent. This guide to over 100 Canadian slang words initially started out as 20 words, but I kept remembering other terms from my friends and travels around the country. For example, Qubec does not speak English and won't have many expressions originating from British Columbia. Ah interesting. The series depicts the regular routines that rural communities engage in, which is what makes it even more interesting for many fans. Whether youre visiting Toronto or exploring the Yukon, these colloquial terms are recognized everywhere. It used to refer more to the French-Canadians but nowadays its a general term. Not a common term in Southern Ontario. 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? Here, a recent Canadian immigrant shares what he wishes hed known before moving to Canada. When I first started to travel the world. For the Maritimes, the rest of the country is out west. In the winter, Canadians break out their toboggans or sleds to go tobogganing down snowy hills. No this isnt a derogatory term or anything. , 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. 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. It insinuates that shes only interested in the game due to attraction to the players or attempting to date the players. Everyone in Kansas calls it pop. Soobviously a Loonie would be the next choice right? 2 0 obj
I should have put that in. They either crack you up or make you wonder how smart the guys can be. This messed-up spatial awareness continues when we talk about going north or south. You should be ashamed of yourself!!!!!!! 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? no. Oddly, we dont think of Quebec as east its sort of its own thing. 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! My wife and I are getting ready to move to Canada after leaving 5 years ago. The accent here is very distinctive, and found nowhere else in Canada. We are learning so much. Did it get around I wonder ?? Toronto. Of course, every country has the term beauty or some form of it. That is until you see the coin. The American pronunciation ismore like a-bow-t. (as in take a bow). Oh, Im stomping the brakes, put that idea right through the f**king windshield. vs den or family room, Oh yes, its a living room. When Canadians use the word Poke it means just that. toronto slang insults. Typically, they go to Florida where there are large pockets of elderly residents and the weather is more temperate through the winter. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. I could have used this a few years ago when we lived in Prague. It's another term of endearment. A toque is a knit winter hat like a beanie. lol. Moving abroad? Can often replace 'Pardon' or 'Excuse Me'. Grits are members of the Liberal party of Canada. My go-to for Canadian hotels is Booking.com. yes, I think that Dante may have thought this was about words in general, which is ok with us. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you. Canadians use the word lineup (noun) to refer what the British call a queue and what Americans call a line.. A double double is a coffee order from Tim Hortons. My family always used that word for a weed wacker. [1] they were described as chocolate beans. We have a lot of Canadian slang, so Ill be dividing these into categories to make them easier to understand. This is a Commonwealth trait that we have leftover from Britain, as its just as rampant in New Zealand. Canadians call our Candy Bars Chocolate Bars and I like it like that. That seems to be only in Canada. 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. You have probably heard the following phrases if you are a regular. Thanks for sharing Robert and I totally know all of them. To Canadians a backpack is often called a knapsack. Refers to the island itself and not Labrador. [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. When I see toque, it makes me think that it is pronounced more like Toke, or took. . Mickie-I think we are the only ones that call the small bottle of booze a mickie..good one. Because of that, many Michiganders and people from the upper Midwest say Pop. Thats because use the can is vulgar; the only people in Canada who youd probably hear saying it would be teenage boys, if that. Turn left (Larry) or right (Roger). Badass female expat with a passion for making new countries my home. It comes from the French word depanneur which is the actual name for a convenience store. Using an American product is very Canadian. Foolscap is used in Canada but not the US. I had heard this word as a child. Some expressions dont carry over from province to province. Heres another great Canadian phrase for you, the Molson Muscle. Thanks John, I am always learning so much on this blog. dont use the word BY in america dont forget if its pronounced bi , in america that term is short for bisexual (person who is attracted to both genders) =] so becareful with that word in america newfies btw idk if u guys use it but in my island region in the florida keys we use O instead of or like EX: would you like a coke O some pepsi? we also use Pok kinda like pork but just take the are away we use it to refer to pig products like bacon and porkchops EX: would you like some Pok for breakfast? Cool 1970s Slang. In The Republic of Doyle TV series, they quite often refer to others as by. My favourite Canadian slang term that I use all the time even though I dont often wear them! He had never heard that expression before! ke:/RE!yABZ AlahmE;Gc$TE"j rj!\Uf_V+neeEfK,#nOtb\B2C4%i'.rz +O"? And I agree, we do kick ass dont we:-), A two-six is 26 ounces of hard liquor, an allophone is a resident whose first language is not English or French and a coulee is a valley. Hmmm, kinda hard to sound it outkinda like boy without the o. Thats a dicey history that I wont get into here, but I wanted to include the term since its very common amongst Canadians. How Slang Affects the English Language. a Coke-Cola or a Pespi coke). The Western and Northern portions of Canada are vast, and there is much variation in the landscape and culture in British Columbia, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon Territory. Initially, this referred to Vancouver. Greasy is a term that Maritimers use to refer to someone who is sketchy or seems untrustworthy. We would love to have you in Canada:-), PS, the former name of Toronto is Hogtown and not Motown. How a Soft Drink Became Quebec's Homegrown Insult. To understand Canadian slang, you'll need to learn phrases used across the country such as "Eh?" Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions I recommend World Nomads starting at just $5 a day! BC has a lot of slang to refer to certain cities, often in a derogatory way. 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. 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. This refers to the oil industries in Alberta. and "double-double" as well as regional slang used only in certain provinces. This is most often said by hockey dads from what I can tell. I got a few words which arent on here: Cowtown, Bytown, Canuck, Mickie, Hoser, two-six, cherry picker, puck bunny,francophone, allophone, coulee and yak Canada Kicks Ass!! . Usually used for driving directions. Yes! 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). So I am going to give you a quick lesson on how to use the word eh. This is another one of those American-entertainment terms. To biff something is to mess it up. Ok, I could do an entire post on how Tim Hortons has shaped our coffee drinking as a nation. The classic apology can mean anything from sincere acknowledgement of a mistake to passive aggressive annoyance. I lived in the Philippines for 20 years. I forgot about Toffee Crisps. I am thinking that perhaps it is a uniform? I didnt realize that Americans say, taking a shower. =-. and see what you pick up. If youre looking for a corner store, youre looking for the dep. 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. Although Newfoundland isnt technically a Maritime province because it joined Canada after the Maritime treaty, it tends to be included. Canadian Slang of the Atlantic and Central Provinces If you're visiting Eastern or Central Canada, including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec, these slang words will be familiar to the locals. It's the only slur I know that is based on a beverage. I believe it originated in Ontario. In Ontario we say ( use guys) meaning (you guys). Does that mean brother, buddy, or what?? When I made statements like Its cold tonight, I should have packed my tuque, People looked at me like I was from another planet. Its a lot more fun when youre of legal drinking age. One more a crummy. However other provinces have different arrangments. Ive heard James Cagney use it in an old movie, so I think it must have been common in the States in the 30s or 40s.