And if you're really in the . So when it comes to insulting the sport of hockey, just dont do it, unless you really want to see the gloves come off. You are so right. We use the terms so simply that people barely register them. Whats the best site to buy Canada flights? Ive been ever-curious about them for years!! Then we can throw it down with the best of em with a repertoire of insults that are uniquely our own. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,101,656 times. And I like the way we say about.Canadians should start embracing the way we say about. Canada has two official languages, English and French, and a third unofficial one: Canadian slang. Its more common to use it for men as it was derived when it was less popular for women to play hockey. We are learning so much. Incidentally, anyone wanting a primer is Scots, I recommend watching Rab C Nesbitt on Youtube. Thats interesting eh? Thats not Canada talking there. Habs fans are everywhere and theres nothing funny about the most storied team in NHL history. The above Letterkenny quotes capture the nature of this very popular Canadian show. There are many online services that are dedicated to helping language learners find native speakers to talk with. : *Iuu!$\TV. Along with learning slang words used by all Canadians, try picking up some regional slang, like takitish, which is used by Central Canadians to say see you later. To learn more, like how to use online resources to practice Canadian slang, read on! It is very typical for a Canadian to say I need to use the can in reference to washroom. Poutine: French Canadians: The name of a mixture of french fries, cheese, and gravy. Its what Canadians call a beer belly. 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. The little things youd never know if you didnt travel! Its not the original any longer. And lets not forget donairs! Yeah, we blame my brother, that is all he had in the house:). It softens the expression and instead of it sounding like a command, it becomes more like a persuasion. In Canada, our liquor stores are government-run and cannot be in grocery stores. http://www.ibackpackcanada.com/2009/06/unique-canadian-words-phrases-planetd.html. Moving abroad? This jacket is typically checkered with large black and red or green squares. Ive always loved language. You look like a 12-year-old Dutch girl. they were described as chocolate beans. 100%YES! You can have the alcohol of your choice, drink it fast or slow, but your lips must touch the toe. Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. Mmm, Pineapple Crush sounds great and I believe you, Turkey dressing sounds like it would be a nice addition to poutine! , I think in some ways, Alaska and Canada are very similar and quite different in others. It is often used when stumbling into someone or wanting to get past and is widely used. The following is a list of colloquial terms and expressions used in the Canadian Armed Forces . 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. Its a bit like someone who grew up on cheese-in-a-can screwing up their nose at free-range, organic chvre. It's the native language of approximately 7.3 million Canadians, comprising 20.6% of the Canadian population. Generally speaking, these are Canadian slang terms used across the country. Do you have any favourite Letterkenny Wayne quotes you feel should not miss on our list? Common UK Expressions. I hope you learned a bit more about Canadian sayings and how a lot of our slang seems to refer to alcohol. We even opened a Tim Hortons in Afghanistan for our troops overseas. For some reason, rather than saying ok, we say true. Starlight, star bright, why the f**k you got earrings on? Across Canada, we tend to think of our home as being the centre of the country. To help keep track of where these Canadian slang terms come from, Ill be grouping them by their location. It may be a holdover from our British colonialism or due to the French populations of Canada. Fun article but many manyof the claims in the comments are not solely Canadian. Let me explain. Parkette = Park , In French! How To Type Letters with Accents on a Computer. You have probably heard the following phrases if you are a regular. 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. Common Canadian Slang Sorry Canadians are also known for being polite, and 'Sorry' is commonly used in Canada. And what about crazy carpet? , F**k you, Shoresy, youre a terrible fu**in ref! 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. This is absolutely not a stereotype or misconception, you can verify this yourself with google earths aerial photography. Or the UK. It's similar to ' white trash ,' poor people in the USA. In fact, drop any of these common Canadian slang terms while visiting our neighbours to the south, and you may just be greeted with a blank stare or two. I regret nothing! These are all the names of the liquor stores across Canada. Theres a lto of word also that i hear all the time here, and not just in the US or elsewhere. Any potential backpackers heading to Canada need to know a few of these sayings. Some of these words on the list seem a bit suspect, though. Canadians will be agreeing with you, but they say yeah, no. Calgary, due to the stampede and its cattle history. I dispute this being a Canadian-only term I think its just fancier than what Americans usually use. We call them Smarties and we like to eat the red ones last. Northern slang for frozen whale skin and blubber. Its a military short form that weve adopted as a country. Speaking of booze, we also have something that is called a Mickey in Canada. We call them freezies which to me makes the most sense since you freeze them and they arent fully popsicles. These are a few examples of slang in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. 10 Canadian Slang Words You Should Know - blog.cdnrg.com yes, I think that Dante may have thought this was about words in general, which is ok with us. Nova Scotian slang for someone who is sketchy or greasy. Muskoka chairs are classic wooden chairs made for lounging. I wonder if that has any correlation to the size of my waistline. I shared an office with a Canadian and my husband did consulting for a Canadian-owned mobile phone company. We drove from England to Mongolia with two Americans and they had never heard of the term clicks. Memorable Criminal Minds quotes fans of the show will recognise. The Canadian definition of keener was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2015. Canadian Slang, Unique Phrases and Canadian Sayings, Strange and Funny names of Canadian Cities, Great Things to do in Borneo Malaysias Wild Jungle Island, Interview with World Travelers, Uncornered Market, Three-line book review: Stardust Neil Gaiman. Instead of saying Lets go!, we say lets go lah. Thanks for sharing Robert and I totally know all of them. After travelling for the last few years and causing some VERY confused faces, I can assure you that we definitely do. Our humidex, short for humidity index, is how Canadian meteorologists determine how hot it feels outside. They are usually brightly painted and have quite a low seat with a very high back and thick arms. The series depicts the regular routines that rural communities engage in, which is what makes it even more interesting for many fans. Vomit on your moms spaghetti, or whatever that talking singer says. Thats true for some of these Canadian words and phrases, which are so widely used that everyone understands them. My family always used that word for a weed wacker. Wed use it asheading to the vendors, want anything? 4 0 obj The accent here is very distinctive, and found nowhere else in Canada. BC has only the provincial-regulated and privately owned liquor stores, both of which have beer; there are no separate beer-only stores. 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. Canadian Insults: Things You Should Never Say to a Canadian | RD.ca 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. I didnt realize that we are the only people in the world that call their electricity Hydro. When our one-dollar coin came out in the early nineties. Hence the can. As far as Hoser goes, that is definitely a Canadian influence spreading. They change from province to province and city to city without much notice. A sourdough is a permanent resident of the Yukon who has lived there for all four seasons. Enjoyed this post! "Cuzo". Ok, I am kidding, it doesnt make sense at all. You may withdraw your consent at any time. This refers to anyone from the Maritime provinces in Atlantic Canada. , F**k you, Jonesy! The $1 Canadian coin. Many of the above I had forgotten, but they come flooding back. You may just pick a few to use whenever you hang out with your close buddies as long they are open-minded. This can range from a car being a beauty (sometimes just beaut depending on the accent) to someone who did something nice for you. Id call it courting but its never as romantic or reserved. Id been told I looked like the wreck of the Hesperus a couple of times too, although Id forgotten about that one until you reminded me. A living room (sometimes called a sitting room) is more formal, for entertaining guests; a family room is for only the family (more private or relaxed); a den is a smallish room, usually with comfortable sitting chairs, a desk, book shelves, and maybe a fireplace. 2023 Readers Digest Magazines Ltd. - All rights reserved, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). . Yeah! Soda is so strange to our ear. Any of them familar to anyone? Americans often mock them on television, treating them more like camp rangers, when in fact that do a lot of very difficult work. . 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. Quebec French profanity - Wikipedia Well with your permission allow me to take hold of your RSS feed to keep updated with drawing close post. And what we call colleges are their community colleges. Ah, that explains it. When Canadians use the word Poke it means just that. Not because it is the Queens birthday. I thought that the US called it a bathroom and a restroom. Although the origins of this exaggerated accent are obscure, it must have been invented shortly after the countrys inception in 1867because its really starting to show its rust. Its only when you leave the country and try to convince your British friends that kitty-corner is a real term or your American friends beg you to say out and about again that you really notice it. And i notice that those of us who lived in northern ON say packsackbut no one else does! And yeah, pop! Honestly, I dont think Ive heard too many people use that one except when mimicking Bob & Doug (which, admittedly, people do a lot). Yes! My younger life, mostly from Hamilton and Toronto. Originally refers to the losers of a hockey game, who, in pre-Zamboni times, would have to hose the rink down once the game was done. I love this! Finally they said Why do you say clicks we replied I dont know. Other popular swear words include os-tee (the communion wafer) and ka-lees (the cup from which you drink the holy wine). Excellent suggestions! Ingredient Disclosure List This is what we Canadians call our Backpack or Rucksack. I don't think I've ever used the word myself, but "chesterfield" for couch. Anyone from Nova Scotia. 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. Another is using the word line-up as a noun. Your living area is above the first floor. <> My parents always used the term chesterfield instead of couch/sofa. The origins of the word are uncertain. However, Canada is a large country that houses a variety of cultures. So I am going to give you a quick lesson on how to use the word eh. We use terms like sneakers and running shoes as well, but something about saying runners is apparently distinctly Canadian. A kerfuffle is a commotion or fuss. A ski cap? Yes, but only if you live north of Hwy. Midwesterners call in pop, East Coast/West Coast call it soda, and Southerners call in coke (i.e. Im going out in the yard to talk to Ellen but well only bat the fat for a few minutes. Often used for multi-day trips or short hikes. , How about: I am sorry The original Canadian phrase we use all the time (trust me I have been to places where people will slam into you and walk away like you were a pilon. Do you want to munch out with me tonight? Wheeling means to be in the early stages of dating someone. Toonie (as I prefer to spell it) comes from Loonie. Fly means something is over the top or extravagant. They asked. I think I will keep using washroom. This is our phrase we use when we go to buy beer at the beer store. By far the silliest word for currency on the planet is the name of the Canadian dollar coin. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. When the younger folks here that, I cant write the responses to risque lol. I also remember that the term sled was not a toboggan, but a ski-do. Hoser - Wikipedia We say zed, we have smarties, knapsacks (though back pack is probably more common) and chocolate bars. Shaded provisions are not in force. I knew that the capital city was a smart one:-). Perhaps you could offer cross-cultural courses around the world for Canadian companies . As you can tell, I have a special relationship with out and about, since I named my blog after it. Usually used for driving directions. This is the state of Washington, Above California. Kilometers is pretty long when you think about it. Whats not to love, eh? 'a#Mm1U%UNa xR/P?lpfn[yVSsHoB*i{?'%88? [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. We always joke that in Ontario we get our beer and the beer store, liquor at the liquor store and when growing up we got our pop from the pop shop! He became visibly jagged when he missed his flight. 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. Serviette! This can last from late April to early September, fluctuating of course, but definitely cause for a swimming pool. Timmies (among other nicknames) refers to Canadas largest coffee and doughnut chain, Tim Hortons. The next time you stub your toe in Quebec, you might also want to bite your tongue. When I first started to travel the world. 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. Refers to the island itself and not Labrador. It's another term of endearment. Always fun to hear about what is different in each country and area that they live in. Save more in booking your flights and accommodations by using this platform! Kraft Dinner is a box of mac and cheese that you can make at home. Only seen those in Alberta. Thanks. HuffPost Canada. KD is a childhood classic thats become a university classicand now a Canadian classic. All through my school years I would pack my knapsack with my schoolbooks. Today I came across a 1967 high school year book photo of graduates. Now it's a synonym for "loser" but with a particularly Canadian flavour. If youre 1, then its sort of a letdown. I have friends in Ukraine who use college to mean they have a two-year (Associate) degree and university to mean they have a four-year (Bachelor) degree I think thats the norm for the FSU counties. garbage disposal is called a garburator in Canada gutters are eavestroughs. To learn more, like how to use online resources to practice Canadian slang, read on! 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. I got all of these off another website so they may not be true (I just assumed). Whether youre visiting Toronto or exploring the Yukon, these colloquial terms are recognized everywhere. Despite all their teasing, it is actually a term we use. Chesterfield! Canada. How a Soft Drink Became Quebec's Homegrown Insult. Masi - Thank you, from the French word "Merci." Masi! Allophone is new to me too and so is coulee. British Columbia. 17 slang words every Montrealer should know - Time Out Montreal You ever hoover schneef off a sleeping cows spine? Our favourite holiday is Queen Victorias Birthday on May 24th. We have smarties in America. To understand Canadian slang, you'll need to learn phrases used across the country such as "Eh?" Actually, many parts of Canada can get extremely warm summers that mimic tropical heat. By the way, Tim Hortons was founded by hockey legend Tim Horton. Its not the same as whole milk, so we came up with a short form. I havent heard that one. The other ones arent ringing a bell though, Im afraid. Although Newfoundland isnt technically a Maritime province because it joined Canada after the Maritime treaty, it tends to be included. Greasy is a term that Maritimers use to refer to someone who is sketchy or seems untrustworthy. Larger places like Toronto have gained many slang nicknames over the years, some of which are starting to fade. 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. Im Canadain and shes merican. So, come lah, come visit Malaysia and see for yourself. I had heard this word as a child. Essentially gitr done means finish it. I have also recognized that People in America often call supper, dinner. I always say Zed Zed Top & La-Zed-Boy just so people realise how silly it is to make zee rhyme with vee in the alphabet!! I often think one thing and then write another. Many Canadian food chains have also used the term to describe a "double" menu. Similarly, you can order a single single or a triple triple (although that sounds like a lot of dairy and sugar). It can now be confused with the term joggers for baggy womens pants. Do you say supper? toronto slang insults Now, people actually donate their toes for it. 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. That is a good one, my family calls them that too, I didnt think of that one. Please e-mail us at info@insultint.com or call us at 905-935-0341 for any questions! This is one of my favourite terms, more so now that I know its Canadian specific. I have some friends from Newfoundland, so I think that I can hear the accent as I am thinking about how to say it:) Nice! Recommended for you "Just licking the flavour": Concerned dad shouts after catching his little. (Lol I hope I got that right.). For BC, that means that the whole country is out east. We sometimes shorten it to uni. If anything, we say a-boat or, more accurately, a-beh-out. These abbreviations are for the longer form government names for our liquor stores. I served in the US military and we use clicks for two things: kilometers and rifle scopes (like, increase your MOA a half click). To biff something is to mess it up. endobj , You stopped toe curlin in the hot tub cause you heard sperms stay alive in there, and youve seen Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles enough times to know how that story ends. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. Its true what they say about accents: everyone has one and you cant always hear your own, but this whole business about Canadians saying a-boot instead of about is just confusing. 3. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. It sounds loonie-toonie but its true! 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. 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. How Slang Affects the English Language. And that is why everyone wore leather in Alberta. Oh, I have oneserviette!! It might be I go to the U of R. Usually on a rigid frame. Did ya get a tracking number? Commonly shortened to hali. Typically, they go to Florida where there are large pockets of elderly residents and the weather is more temperate through the winter. For example, you may say that Timmies is kitty-corner to your home if it is diagonally across an intersection. Ive never heard a Canadian use this phrase. I didnt realize it originated in Detroit, however I have heard a lot of people from Michigan say pop too so that explains it! Some have a French Canadian influence. 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. stream I forgot about Toffee Crisps. I think its fascinating how terms develop and change over time and across borders. Here is what we recommend: Need more help planning your trip? Canadians will say Im going to University. It insinuates that shes only interested in the game due to attraction to the players or attempting to date the players. I do love my Tim Hortons Doughnuts! They also have ketchup chips in some markets. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. What do people in Canada say for "bicycle"? You are more observant than us! POPi dunno if this is accurate but i notice most americans and ppl from other countries call it sodaPOP! Just wanted to wish everyone a great Christmas this year. Thanks John, I am always learning so much on this blog. Canadians have a reputation for being the politest people on the planet that is until someone butts in line at Tims. (Im just kidding) I didnt know that they had them abroad. Just a tad, you you like some dessert? This is an older Canadian term. We have a commercial where the announcer asks, How do you like your coffee? Naturally, we like our coffee crisp. To us, the toilet sounds a bit vulgar. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. I heard Americans dont have a word for slush and dont use the word toboggan. The American pronunciation ismore like a-bow-t. (as in take a bow). In MY Boy is dead, a moving poem by tour great WW1 poet H Smalley-Sarson, I read this line : THe day he got his Blue. ), and will also say that Ive brought Poutine to Australia, and they dig it here. 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. Oddly both terms mean the same thing: to seek a provider of alcohol. Help fellow Canadians! Kitty-corner refers to something diagonally across the street from you. No waywe ended up calling it a Toonie, because Toonie rhymes with Loonie, and we Canadians like things that rhyme. 95% of Quebec Province's population speaks French as their first or second language. From ordering your coffee double double to wearing your toque in the winter well, that's just so Canadian. Even from Toronto, we refer to out west as everything west of us. In The Republic of Doyle TV series, they quite often refer to others as by. Pencil Crayons coloured pencils (also only we spell colour with a u). I now use the term Backpack more often but I havent been able to say the term Rucksack, it is just odd to me. This is another one of those American-entertainment terms. ke:/RE!yABZ AlahmE;Gc$TE"j rj!\Uf_V+neeEfK,#nOtb\B2C4%i'.rz +O"? The thing about zed and zee is it makes more sense to pronounce it zee when singing the alphabet song, otherwise it sounds ridiculous. If I could do it broke at 16, so can you! Ontario Slang Like 'Soaker' Could Soon Be In Oxford Dictionary And wish sometimes others would say it just a little bit. 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. {xr%5y{ : 15 Colorful Canadian Slang Terms. Dave and I would say things like the next town is about 50 clicks away. I dont know what I was thinking of hahah. However, its very commonly referred to, even by Canadians, as being Canadian slang. For finding cheap Canadian flights, I recommendSkyscanner. Oh, Im stomping the brakes, put that idea right through the f**king windshield. . I used that a lot even after I graduated. Most Americans just lines, Very true, we have definitely heard the term chesterfield a lot. What do you call Pepsi and similar? Americans say About like it is A-Baow-T with a more open ah sound. A right of passage in Canada was bringing timbits into your school classes. If youre from abroad, read on to see the crazy sayings we use and think are normal! 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. <> We would pronounce leisure to rhyme with seizure (Americans would rhyme it with measure). If youre concerned about that expanding gut of yours, many restaurants offer a healthier, vegetarian gravy substitute. You can always identify a Canadian by the way they use the word University. I think most Canadians would call it a couch today, certainly not sofa. Just be sure you don . Ive tested it with friends and everyone agrees it is pronounced JAGD not JAG ed as in the adjective. A Canuck is a slang term for a Canadian person. While you can still find them on Canadian slang posts or the Wikipedia about Canadian language, Ive genuinely never heard them used before. It doesnt matter where you are, thats the middle. Pepsi: French Canadians: Empty from the neck up. It quickly got out of hand, so here we are with 100+ Canadian phrases for you to learn and share! What about the old Zed and Zee. To say that all Americans call it soda is grossly inaccurate. I just replied about this on another comment but I think you are right. Like kitty-corner; how else do you say when things are diagonally across an intersection without so many words??