Now that you know the Canadian insults to avoid, check out the Canadian road trips everyone should take at least once. We grab a 2-4 of beer and go to the cottage up north to work on our Molson Muscle. A Molson Muscle is our endearing term for the beer bellies we have developed over years of drinking Molson Canadian Beer. Often its not even a true or false statement! Again, this is a term Americans love to make us say. I had to include this term with the insane heat and humidity were currently getting in Toronto. Other popular swear words include os-tee (the communion wafer) and ka-lees (the cup from which you drink the holy wine). You look like a 12-year-old Dutch girl. Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner, Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. The GTA stands for the Greater Toronto Area. Dwight Schrute: Most hilarious quotes and memes from your favourite character. I dont think that I have ever heard the term washroom anywhere else except for Canada. Welcome back my channel! Where in the US, we would say, Hey guys! my grandma also calls couches CHESTERFIELDS! The American pronunciation ismore like a-bow-t. (as in take a bow). 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. You may withdraw your consent at any time. I havent included all of them for two reasons: 1) this list is already insanely long and 2) some can be derogatory. Its funny how something so commonplace to us became such an ordeal to figure out. That would be giving someone his or her "due.". For the record, I grew up in Washington, D.C., and called a backpack a knapsack. When I hear cone I think of an icecream cone. Its become part of our daily language. Or brains. To us, the toilet sounds a bit vulgar. Hi Dante, I dont know if these guys are commenting here anymore, but this is a blog about Canadian things. Canadian Slang, Unique Phrases and Canadian Sayings , Buddy, you couldnt wheel a f**kin tire down a hill. As far as Hoser goes, that is definitely a Canadian influence spreading. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. My husband will occasionaly say Zee (too much American Tv, I guess)and I always correct him. 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. 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. Fun fact: KD is our most consumed product in Canada, even beating out maple syrup! Excellent additions and very accurate. By now most of the world knows the Canadian tuxedo: wearing an all-denim outfit. endobj A very typical Canadian chocolate bar is a coffee crisp. We have Toffee Crisps here (must be close) and Smarties too, but cant remember the last time I saw them on sale. On the West Coast, a few words mixed in from Indigenous trade languages chuck for the ocean, Skookum for pretty big, pretty neat. Well, if you are a regular fan of the show, you probably are conversant with Letterkenny slang. A couple of Canadians I met in Ireland last month used eh ALL the time, Im sorry, but I couldnt help but snicker! Washroom? Oddly both terms mean the same thing: to seek a provider of alcohol. Heres a fast fact. History of American Slang Words. Instead of saying Lets go!, we say lets go lah. Theyre just not as popular. What about the old Zed and Zee. They didnt have Gortex then. 2023 Readers Digest Magazines Ltd. - All rights reserved, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). My younger life, mostly from Hamilton and Toronto. Id call it courting but its never as romantic or reserved. 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. <> I hope you learned a bit more about Canadian sayings and how a lot of our slang seems to refer to alcohol. One win. And if you're really in the . Dont forget the iconic Nova Scotia toast sociable! So, come lah, come visit Malaysia and see for yourself. Pencil crayons are pencils that feature coloured graphite. Youve given me some homework. We live in Wisconsinyou would be surprised how many people use soda, not pop.. haha, thanks Steph. The $1 Canadian coin. I am going to Timmies to grab a box of timbits and a large Double Double. That is what you say when leave the house to order an assortment of tasty doughnut centres and an oversized cup of coffee with two creams and two sugars at Tim Horton Doughnuts. Poutine: French Canadians: The name of a mixture of french fries, cheese, and gravy. Maybe its just having to make every second of summer count because winter is so brutal? Again, its mostly seen on American television. Just want to say your article is as amazing. How a Soft Drink Became Quebec's Homegrown Insult. I dont know about Canadian Baby. Too bad, you werent. 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! I should have put that in. A word from Newfoundland meaning pretty obviously someone whos stupid. I forgot all about the word pop Americans call it soda and that just sounds strange to we Canadians. CHESTERFIELD!!!! If youre from abroad, read on to see the crazy sayings we use and think are normal! And these 13 surprising things are actually madein Canada! Canadians dont say about. If you dont expect it, its weird to see homo milk laid out in an aisle of the grocery story. 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. There is virtually no pronunciation differences between cot and caught when said by a Canadian. A keener is sort of a mix between a know-it-all and a goody-two-shoes. It refers to the bedrock in Vancouver that prevents basements and the insane housing prices that mean people need to rent. Love it! Are the washrooms comfortable in the Philippines? Now before visiting Canada, you can practice your use of the word eh and fit right in once you get here. Some have a French Canadian influence. Fans can be excited about seeing their favourite characters in the 9th season. This is actually a strain of wind, like the El Nio, but people dont usually say it to refer to the weather phenomenon. In the US, youd never use the word this way. Yes! I was surprised to see the word Toilet used so much. A Mickey is about a flask-sized measure of alcohol that you can buy from the grocery store. Canadian culture is more unique than you might think. Means go for it or help yourself, especially when referring to food. There are very few, rural areas that you cant. Yes Renting a car is a necessity in most of Canada! 17. funkme1ster 10 yr. ago. Urban Dictionary: hoser 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. toronto slang insults. Ha! Practicing Canadian Slang Download Article 1 Find a language buddy online. Ontario Slang Like 'Soaker' Could Soon Be In Oxford Dictionary 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. Good one! These are a few examples of slang in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. BC has only the provincial-regulated and privately owned liquor stores, both of which have beer; there are no separate beer-only stores. I agree wholeheartedly on all the above terms (toilet sounds so much dirtier than washroom! You are already subscribed to our newsletter! 50 Most Popular Canadian Slang Words and Sayings - Content-Writing I went my entire childhood and a large portion of my adult life not realizing that this was a word only used in Canada. It might seem a bit weird, but tah-bar-nac (the box where the Eucharist is kept) is a common swear word uttered in a fit of agitation. {xr%5y{ : Canada. It implies that shes only there for the cowboys, which isnt always the case. These abbreviations are for the longer form government names for our liquor stores. I dont know if this is common elsewhere, but in Canada we celebrate our champagne birthday with extra fan fair. So where other countries get electrical bills, we get hydro bills. Essentially gitr done means finish it. 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. Canadian Insults: Things You Should Never Say to a Canadian | RD.ca Parkette (i.e., small park) is a Canadian word. Allophone is new to me too and so is coulee. And lets not forget donairs! If you want to go on road trips or adventures outside of the major cities, youll need to rent a car. Kitty-corner refers to something diagonally across the street from you. 15 Canadian Slang Words You Need to Know (For Your Next Trip!) How to Swear in Quebecois - oFrench Ive never heard a Canadian use this phrase. I served in the US military and we use clicks for two things: kilometers and rifle scopes (like, increase your MOA a half click). If you are a regular who watches this series, then certain phrases from the show will not shock you. Good to know that we have similar tastes when it comes to our toilet chat:). I didnt realize it originated in Detroit, however I have heard a lot of people from Michigan say pop too so that explains it! Your living area is above the first floor. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. What do you call Pepsi and similar? February 27, 2023 new bill passed in nj for inmates 2022 No Comments . Living around Canada, especially in the Maritimes, I learned even more fascinating Canadian terms that I wish were more widely known. Hold doors open for people and, even if someone stumbles into you, apologize. Canadian words, phrases or slang that most Americans wouldn - reddit The series depicts the regular routines that rural communities engage in, which is what makes it even more interesting for many fans. Cant go to work if you dont have a crummy! Some diehard poutine fans might call mushroom or vegetable gravy sacrilege, but the only real Canadian insult is opting for boring old french fries when you can indulge in a true Canadian delicacy. That comes from our history fur trading. 4 0 obj Geez, Im strangely authoritative about candy. 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. 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. My North Carolinan brother in law calls a toque a toboggan (pronounced tow-boggan) and it cracks up up every time. If you enjoyed these Canadian sayings and Canadian slang terms, save this to Pinterest for future vocabulary fun! Thanks for the input. Same with merry, Mary, and marry. Some women enjoy the term and self-identify as puck bunnies (especially wives of famous hockey players). Of course, every country has the term beauty or some form of it. Essentially, a Sasquatch is a large, hairy figure in the woods that has a lot of lore surrounding it. Montreal Canadiens insults, on the other hand, can get you in trouble whether you're in Beaver Creek, Yukon, or Blackhead, Newfoundland. In high school, people carried around a Micky of vodka or Canadian Club Rye Whiskey. 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. 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/. Heres one. A two-four is a 24 (2 and 4) pack of beer. Tell her Ill put my swim trunks on for her any time she likes. Ha, love this! Please! Here are a few of the staple Canadian slang words used daily. Is you do you Canadian slang or American? These are all the names of the liquor stores across Canada. 2023 Nina Out and About - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP - Privacy Policy, Wrap Up: Canadian Slang and Sayings You Need to Know. Buy your own Canadian tuque on Amazon. 99% of Canadians will use washroom or bathroom, but very rarely will they use toilet. And yes, after you answer natures call, you do go there to wash, hopefully. This is one of my favourite terms, more so now that I know its Canadian specific. Often used by canadian soldiers. Whats the Great White North like for a newcomer? For example, if we disagree, well say no lah. It refers to the liquor vendors store shortened to just the vendors here. Im Canadain and shes merican. Other than eh? and sorry, I didnt actually know we had our own linguistic identity. However, if youre ordering fries and youre asked if youd like poutine instead, your answer should always be yes. Moving abroad? To Canadians a backpack is often called a knapsack. I think all we say is would you like to go out to dinner? This jacket is typically checkered with large black and red or green squares. 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. See on Instagram. Im American but my parents are from Canada and I went to grade school in that country. The term university is limited to schools which offer four-year, degree programs. In Alberta the Convenience stores or corner stores used to be called Confectionary. This is a Commonwealth trait that we have leftover from Britain, as its just as rampant in New Zealand. Turn left (Larry) or right (Roger). In America, Soda is more prevalent in the West Coast and the Eastern Seaboard. 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. However, older generations sometimes call U.S. residents Yankees.. I had no idea what this meant until I was older. Rink rat is a term for someone who spends a lot of time at hockey arenas. im fluent in English & french. KD is a childhood classic thats become a university classicand now a Canadian classic. , 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. A Vancouver special is a type of house with no basement where the first floor is rented out. But when an American pronounces those words, there is a huge difference. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. I can think of some additional foods and expressions that are distinctly Canadian that visitors might not know: Butter Tart Tortire Poutine Nanaimo Bar Bags of milk Pop instead of soda Ketchup Chips Clicks (distance) Kerfuffle (commotion) For sure Homo milk Brown bread Chesterfield Supper Girl Guides Muskoka Chair Track pants Postal code Elastic Smarties Crispy Crunch Caramilk Shreddies 5-pin bowling Mountie, Ive called it pop ever since i could remember. Soda is what others call it, Canadians call it pop. While I know it is used in at least Ontario (where I have family), it originated in Detroit, where Im from. No, we dont say aboot. You know? 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. Related to "Pepper". I used that a lot even after I graduated. Perhaps you could offer cross-cultural courses around the world for Canadian companies . , I think in some ways, Alaska and Canada are very similar and quite different in others. Anyways . But you are right, either way is the proper spelling. How to Understand Canadian Slang: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Getty Images 1 / 50 Caesar I think I wrote about it in an old food post. Whether youre visiting Toronto or exploring the Yukon, these colloquial terms are recognized everywhere. Just a tad, you you like some dessert? , Oh, come on, kitten. Cockney Insults. Last Updated: February 25, 2023 They mock us by using "eh" in the most ridiculous phrases and they never get it right. I know our American friends rhyme the alphabet and sing x, y, zee, but we say Zed. Its a lot more fun when youre of legal drinking age. Indeed, I think there ought to be a law against Canadian broadcasters ever saying zee! Northern Canadians use ever before words to add emphasis, sort of like saying very. Wonder if she put that shes bilingual on her resume. Like Americans, we refer to dollars and bucks. I use the words hassock instead of ottoman, and quiggley hole when the kids dig huge holes in the yard and Im not sure about these ones but i use them too whipper snipper or rumpus room for the basement? Our Sasquatch is said to be in British Columbia. The above Letterkenny quotes capture the nature of this very popular Canadian show. Very funny. "Cuzo". Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work. This refers to anyone from the Maritime provinces in Atlantic Canada. "We're gonna go tobogganing today, eh?" 50+ memorable Grinch quotes for people who absolutely hate Christmas. Now, people actually donate their toes for it. If you are trying to learn a few adult Canadian slang words, then this would be a great show to catch every time it airs. 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. As the beaches are increasingly polluted with dogs and tourists and smartphone cameras, pools are getting to be even more popular than ever. Id like to do one just for Newfoundland words. In addition to regional slang variations, there are some Canadian slang words universally understood throughout the country. Oh, I hope he got a tracking number. My go-to for Canadian hotels is Booking.com. Its similar to a very Malaysian word lah which we add to everything we say. , Does your grandmother call lunch dinner and dinner supper?. Usually, its not used to refer to a physical fight, but that varies. (oops, maybe the French use them, too?). So naturally, we all decided to call it a Loonie. 9. swordfishtrombonez. Buddy/ Bud On the east coast predominantly (but also heard nationwide), buddy is a way to talk about a person without using a name. Heres a phrase you must learn when coming to Canada. And wish sometimes others would say it just a little bit. I had heard this word as a child. Here you will learn about the most important words in this part of the language. Hoser - Wikipedia Ah! Take a look below at some of the most priceless Canadian slang words and where they came from. Stereotypical softdrink of choice (considered quite insulting). If I hear one more person say Oh your Canadian, do you go oot and aboot? Im going to sock it to em in the nose. Joggers used to mean sweatpants. French Canadians: A derivative of Pepsi. I didnt know that garburator was Canadian or till, or writing exams. Thanks for the additions. I would correct your comment regarding where Canadians buy their beer. They change from province to province and city to city without much notice. Why people think we say aboot is beyond me. % of people told us that this article helped them. 15 Colorful Canadian Slang Terms | Mental Floss 95% of Quebec Province's population speaks French as their first or second language. They also refer to their islands and the island (Vancouver Island) differently depending on where they live in the province. 14 Canadian Things Brutally Roasted By Urban Dictionary Privacy Policy. Larger places like Toronto have gained many slang nicknames over the years, some of which are starting to fade. , Youre pretty good at wrestlin there, Katy, and thats what I appreciate about you. 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. Thanks k.c. I learned a lot from you. <>>> Some expressions dont carry over from province to province. These are some of the most popular Canadian words and phrases used as slang. I didnt realize that it was a Canadian thing. Okay, so my question is some what related to this topic, but not exactly. Its true, we do often end sentences with eh?. They are the Canadian version of the FBI and deal with a lot of serious crimes. Ingredient Disclosure List ( SOR /88-64) Regulations are current to 2022-09-22 and last amended on 2015-02-11. When we pay our utilities each month, we pay our hydro bill. I just saw a comment on digg and they are soooo right. If anything, we say a-boat or, more accurately, a-beh-out. 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. +}+(z Q0$DC- QW%.. Hi Virey, I am not sure what that means, Id have to see more of the poem in context. And I love to converse with my college mates from up north British Columbia and Alberta, just to listen to them use the eh word. I thought it was hilarious that toque is a ski cap in the States. I recommend a Brita Water Bottle for long hikes and backcountry camping to stay safe and hydrated. I regret nothing! However, you should never drink river or lake water anywhere in the country! a Coke-Cola or a Pespi coke). Thats when I realized that Canadians are strange. Get some good Canadian beer and then think about calling yourself a Canadian man!!!!!!!!!!!!! The best way to learn and practice slang is to talk with a native Canadian. My friend asked me Whats that? Someone from New Brunswick. After familiarizing yourself with the actual slang terms, practice speaking and listening to those terms until they come more naturally to you. , Your dad says guys with big trucks have little d**ks. Funny Cowboy Sayings. Ive found them most common in the Prairies although the Maritimes was full of them in Fall. Thanks Candice, I am going to start using By.