Wish to converse like an actual Canadian, eh? From Tim Hortons runs to two-fours on the cottage, Canadian slang is as various as our nation itself. Whereas we could sound much like our American neighbors, belief us—we’ve acquired our personal bizarre, great, and wildly complicated phrases.
Whether or not you’re ordering a double-double, dodging a rink rat, or kicking again in a Muskoka chair, we’ve acquired you lined with this final information to Canadian slang phrases and phrases. So, earlier than you throw a Chesterfield kerfuffle, let’s dive in, eh?
Converse Canadian – The Final Information to Canadian Slang
Most individuals suppose Canadians converse quite a bit like our American neighbours, however the reality is, we’re a little bit bizarre up right here within the Nice White North. Plus, Canadians can pick a Canadian accent anytime so don’t suppose that stitching a Canadian flag in your backpack all of a sudden turns you right into a Canuck.
Canuck
The phrase Canuck is one in all my favourites. This time period referes to Canadians. We’ve the Vancouver Canucks, one in all Canada’s most beloved hockey groups, and within the Nineteen Eighties, our downhill skiers who dominated the World Cup circuit had been known as the Loopy Canucks, and I’m personally a proud Canuck. When you haven’t figured it out but, Canuck is one other time period for a Canadian. It’s a lot less complicated and shorter. I’m a Canuck man!
Eh
That is our hottest Canadian saying and everybody mocks us through the use of “eh” in essentially the most ridiculous phrases they usually by no means get it proper. So I’m going to provide you a fast lesson on the way to the phrase “eh”.All it’s a must to do is make a press release like “It is a very nice day out today.” When you add “eh” to the top of that assertion, you’ll be able to flip it right into a query that can require a pleasant reply from the particular person you’re speaking to.
Tuque
A knit winter hat, recognized elsewhere world wide as a beanie. Each Canadian owns a minimum of one. I went my whole childhood and a big portion of my grownup life not realizing that this was a phrase solely utilized in Canada. “Tuque” as it’s spelled in Quebec (it’s spelled toque in English Canada) is a singular Canadian slang phrase used throughout the nation to explain a winter hat. Purchase your individual Canadian tuque on Amazon.
Important Canadian Phrases You Must Know Earlier than Visiting
Loonie and Toonie
Our one-dollar coin is named a “Loonie” (due to the loon on it). Naturally, when the two-dollar coin got here out, we named it a “Toonie” as a result of it rhymes with Loonie. Logical, proper?
Washroom
Neglect “restroom” or “bathroom.” In Canada, it’s all the time the washroom.
Hydro
Canadians don’t pay an “electric bill.” We pay for hydro, even in locations the place our energy isn’t hydroelectric.
Meals & Drink Slang You Must Know
Common / Double-Double
At Tim Hortons, a “regular” espresso comes with one cream and one sugar. A “double-double”? Two lotions, two sugars. Candy sufficient to make a beaver blush.
Poutine
Timbits
Donut holes from Tim Hortons. “I’ll grab a box of Timbits for the meeting.”
Kraft Dinner
Our beloved mac and cheese, immortalized in music by the Barenaked Girls.
Freezie
A frozen flavored ice deal with. “I loved eating freezies during summer as a kid.”
Chocolate Bar
What the remainder of the world calls a sweet bar.
Basic Canadian Phrases & Sayings
Hoser
Talking of Bob and Doug Mackenzie, it was these two lovable Hosers that introduced the time period Hoser to the mainstream in Canada. Hoser is an old-school insult made well-known by Bob and Doug McKenzie, that means an fool or loser. Instance:“Take off, ya hoser!”
Two-4
A case of 24 beers. “Pick up a two-four for the party.” We purchase our beer on the Beer Retailer in Canada and a field of 24 beers is solely shortened to the phrases “two four.”
Molson Muscle
A beer stomach. “He’s been working on his Molson muscle all winter.” Nicely, older Canadians anyway. Many of the GenZ drink craft beer, and wouldn’t contact Molson.
Pop
Individuals say “soda.” We are saying pop.
Canadian Way of life & Tradition Slang
Could 2 – 4 Weekend
Victoria Day weekend, usually celebrated by consuming a case of 24 beers. “We’re heading to the cottage for May Two-Four.”
Out and About Not Oot and Aboot
We don’t say “oot and aboot.” It’s nearer to “a-boat.” Belief us. When you actually need to delve into the reasoning for the distinction. Try Grammar Woman. She explains the diphthong variations eloquently right here.
Zed
Canadians say “Zed” as a substitute of “Zee” for the letter Z—besides when referring to ZZ High. I used to drive a Zed 28 automobile. Individuals name it Zee28, and that’s simply bizarre.
Knapsack
Our phrase for backpack or rucksack, particularly amongst grade college college students.
Stag and Stagette or Stag and Doe
Our model of bachelor and bachelorette events. A pre-wedding celebration to lift funds for the couple. “They’re hosting a stag and doe next month.”
Bachelor Condominium
And talking of the time period bachelor we name a studio condominium or a small condominium with out a separate bed room a bachelor condominium with an open dwelling and sleeping house. “I found a cozy bachelor downtown.”
Chinook
A heat winter wind that may soften Alberta’s snow in hours. Being born in Alberta, Canada, my dad and mom usually talked about Chinooks blowing in from the mountains, bringing hotter climate from British Columbia, and the way good it was.
Bunny Hug
Saskatchewan’s distinctive time period for a hoodie (sure, actually). “It’s chilly; grab your bunny hug.”
Kerfuffle
A commotion or fuss. “There was a real kerfuffle at the rink last night.”
Newfie
A Newfie is a slang phrase to explain an individual from the Canadian province of Newfoundland. Individuals from Newfoundland usually consult with themselves as Newfies, and plenty of Canadians name individuals from Newfoundland Newfies. It’s an endearing time period of affection and respect. Nevertheless, we normally persist with Newfoundlanders. Be aware: With regards to saying Newfound land, don’t over pronounce the “Found.” As a substitute, make it sound extra like “Newfanland”. That’s extra Canadian.
Runners
Canadians don’t put on sneakers—we put on run
Clicks
Canadian converse for kilometers. Instance: Toronto is about 500 clicks from Montreal.”
The 6ix
Toronto’s nickname, popularized by Drake.
Cowtown
A nickname for Calgary, due to its cowboy tradition.
The Peg
A nickname for Winnipeg (previously “Winterpeg”).
Magnificence
When one thing’s top-notch, we name it a “beauty.” Scored tickets to a Leafs recreation? “Beauty, eh!”
Mountie
A member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Pencil Crayon
What we name coloured pencils.
Keener
Somebody who’s overly keen or enthusiastic, usually the trainer’s pet. “That keener finished the assignment a week early.”
Chesterfield
An old-school time period for a sofa or couch.
Comfort Retailer
The nook retailer the place you seize snacks and necessities.
Darts
Canadian slang for a cigarette. “Goin’ out for a dart” means you’re stepping outdoors to smoke.
Parkade
A multi-level parking storage, largely utilized in Western Canada.
Napkin
A serviette, however fancier.
Buddy / Bud
Don’t fear, it’s very Canadian to drink American beer
Within the Maritimes, “buddy” is a common stand-in for an individual’s title. Didn’t catch somebody’s title? Simply name ’em “buddy.” It’s the Canadian means.
Mickey / Texas Mickey
A “mickey” is a 375ml bottle of liquor—excellent for slipping into your pocket. A “Texas mickey”? That’s a whopping 3-liter bottle. Proceed with warning.
Bloody Caesar
Canada’s model of a Bloody Mary, made with Clamato juice (clam and tomato juice).
Sports activities & Hockey Slang (As a result of, Canada)
Rink Rat
Somebody who virtually lives on the hockey rink, whether or not they’re a participant, skater, or only a superfan. I used to be a rink rat, individuals had been all the time saying “She’s a real rink rat, always practicing her skating.”
Deke
A hockey transfer the place a participant fakes out an opponent. Off the ice, it means to dodge or keep away from one thing.
Goon
A troublesome man or enforcer, particularly in hockey. “The team’s goon got into a fight.”
Hold a Larry / Hold a Roger
Want instructions? “Hang a Larry” means flip left; “Hang a Roger” means flip proper. Why Larry and Roger? Your guess is nearly as good as ours.
Puck Bunny
A fan, sometimes feminine, who’s extra within the gamers than the sport. “She’s such a puck bunny, always hanging around the rink.”
Lineup
What others name a queue, we name a lineup. “There’s a lineup at Timmies this morning.”
For Positive
A definitive sure. “You coming to the party?” “For sure!”
To Be On Pogey
Being on welfare or unemployment advantages. “He’s been on pogey since the mill closed.”
Chirping
Good-natured teasing or taunting, particularly in sports activities. “The players were chirping each other all game.”
Eavestrough
What others would possibly name a gutter. “Clean the leaves out of the eavestrough before winter.”
Gasoline Bar
A fuel station, usually with a comfort retailer. “Let’s stop at the gas bar for snacks.”
Snowbirds
Canadians who migrate south for the winter. “My grandparents are snowbirds; they spend winters in Florida.”
Gong Present
A chaotic or wild occasion. “That party turned into a real gong show.”
Fill Yer Boots
An invite to take as a lot as you need. “We’ve got plenty of food, so fill yer boots!”
What You Sayin’?
An off-the-cuff greeting that means “What are you up to?” “Hey
Jesus Murphy
Yep, I’m responsible of utilizing this one quite a bit and apparently it’s a distinctive Canadian time period.
Muskoka Chair
The last word Canadian chill spot—discovered on each dock, cottage deck, and lakeside retreat. Whereas Individuals name it an Adirondack chair, everyone knows the Muskoka chair reigns supreme. Seize a beer, relax, and benefit from the view, eh?
So, there you’ve got it, many issues Canadians say which might be a little bit bit out of the odd up right here within the Nice White North. So, once you go to Canada, be certain to take pleasure in our beaver tails, use the metric system and when you’re heading out to the East Coast be certain to endearingly name a Newfoundlander a Newfie. Bought it?
Are you able to consider another Canadian sayings which might be distinctive to your area or the nation? Inform us some phrases distinctive to your nation, we need to hear them.
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