2023 Nina Out and About - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP - Privacy Policy, Wrap Up: Canadian Slang and Sayings You Need to Know. It can also be a derogatory term for supporters of the Bloc Quebecois. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. When you need to react to something, or if someone is annoying you, you opt for a "hooooly" to let out all your feelings into an exaggerated reaction. This set the stage less than a decade later, when it came time to name the newly released two dollar cointhe toonie. In Canada, our electricity comes from the hydroelectric power company. WebIt 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. Many people wear a denim shirt with denim pants and/or a denim jacket. "A friend told me once that her husband was doing that and I thought he got a job at the cemetery. I havent included all of them for two reasons: 1) this list is already insanely long and 2) some can be derogatory. It is a common phrase said to order a coffee with two creams and two sugars. We share a lot of values with Americans and can identify with the same cultural references. Generally speaking, these are Canadian slang terms used across the country. Its more likely that if you hear someone say they are going north, they mean north of their current location. This one really throws our northern neighbor. We actually use this term a lot in Canada. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. However, we ONLY do this if it makes it easier to say. Again, its mostly seen on American television. A term for an anglophone in Quebec. A puck bunny is a derogatory term for a female fan of hockey. Confusing right? Ive always loved language. It comes easier after a few tries. Example The house is about five clicks away. Talking about SPAM or some unpleasant looking meat-based dish sold in a cafeteria with seemingly unknown origins (is it from a pig? "When you say to table something you mean to shelve it. Rink rat is a term for someone who spends a lot of time at hockey arenas. Minnesota also experiences all four seasons. This word is used two ways. To avoid the guilt and shame of blasphemy yet retain the satisfaction of cursingusually after clumsily hurting themselvesCanadians cleverly replace the name of Christ with Murphy. When two (or more) Canadians disagree or have a difference of opinion, a kerfuffle may ensue. "Dontcha know this stereotype can be true!" We apologize, but for some reason its ingrained in us! Wix has got your covered with thousands of design features, built-in SEO and marketing tools, that will allow you to scale your content, your brand and your business. But in Canada, its actually a word that is plastered on milk to refer to a specific kind of milk, all over stores. As you can tell, I have a special relationship with out and about, since I named my blog after it. I recommend World Nomads starting at just $5 a day! She helps over 100,000 people per month plan their expat adventures and Canadian trips. "My dad's girlfriend works with people from around the world," writes one user on Reddit. Its a very old term that has mostly fallen out of fashion. WebCanadians will be agreeing with you, but they say yeah, no. This doesn't necessarily mean you're referring to the plural of men, but it can mean you're referring to one person, and in many cases you're using the term to speak in third person about yourself. This hospitable saying comes from the island of Newfoundland off the east coast of the Canadian mainland, meaning do whatever you want or help yourself to as much as youd like. This messed-up spatial awareness continues when we talk about going north or south. 'Your boyfriend opened the door for me, he's a keeper.') For Minnesotans, the blank in this phrase is usually filled with a variety of words that form phrases such as Oh for sure!" In 1996, the Canadian $2 was also introduced, and the words two and Loonie became a single term, Toonie. One of the best-known American phrases, it's no piece of cake for newcomers to the U.S. to understand what we're talking about or where baked goods might be involved. A sports term, also known as a cherry picker, that refers to a player who neglects their defensive duties by staying near their opponents goal while waiting for easy opportunities to score. Yes Renting a car is a necessity in most of Canada! Its part of their tradition (much like the sour toe shot). Id call it courting but its never as romantic or reserved. And to update your vocabulary, pepper your speech with these 30 Hilarious Words for Everyday Problems. I genuinely thought everyone had this term. 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. Some are more obscure than others, but theyre all really fun. 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! If someone is on unemployment, they are on pogey. WebImportantly, Canadians do not intersperse either word at random throughout sentences. WebCanadian Slang Words 1 Eh? But if you're a true native to Toronto, this list of words is a part of your normal everyday vocabulary, whether you use them or just know what they mean. It is also another way of saying fvck boy. There are some that I genuinely didnt know were Canadian phrases and judged friends Ive met around the world for not knowing them. Minnesota staff writer for Only in Your State and owner of Minnesota blog NorthGuide.co, I'm a Minneapolis transplant who loves my cats, camera, and local coffee. Theyre most common in the Prairies, though Saskatchewan and Alberta debate the i vs. o. And for hilarious instances of this, check out these50 Epic Fails We Can't Stop Laughing at. We dont have a lot of free WIFI in Canada, so youll need your phone for maps. To say hello to someone at a distance This weird colloquialism to describe trying to superficially improve something that's ugly or deficient makes sense when you explain it to an outsider, but, as Bustle' s JR Thorpe puts it, "One of the main reasons the rest of the world finds American politics bizarre is that, often, we don't understand what on earth your politicians are saying. I can't describe it, but I think most of you will know what I'm talking about. Initially, this referred to Vancouver. Listed below are 13 of the most unique things Minnesotans say. To show surprise as in you are joking? Oddly both terms mean the same thing: to seek a provider of alcohol. And like the birds who migrate seasonally to warmer climates, some Canadians escape the snow by flocking south in search of sand and sun. For finding cheap Canadian flights, I recommendSkyscanner. Vitamin = In the U.K. its pronounced how it is spelled VIT-a-min, vit rhymes with wit. Although we have many islands, this term is meant for people from Prince Edward Island in the Maritimes. There are so many more Canadina expressions that I couldnt fit into the post. An expression used when referring to something, or someone, exceptionally good. 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). Turn left (Larry) or right (Roger). The name changes based on the significant body of water near you. However, going south is a whole other thing. All Rights Reserved. While you can still find them on Canadian slang posts or the Wikipedia about Canadian language, Ive genuinely never heard them used before. Muskoka chairs are classic wooden chairs made for lounging. To end a question 100%YES! 5. It jars me a bit when I hear Zee. Speaking of the very cold weather over there in Canada, a toque is actually a winter hat. Realtor is just too hard to say, so it's "real-uh-terr." Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Other than eh? and sorry, I didnt actually know we had our own linguistic identity. For example, if youre born on July 15th, your 15th birthday is your champagne birthday. Its no secret that winters in Canada can be some of the longest and coldest on the planet. 2. It doesnt matter where you are, thats the middle. A savory dish that originated in the French Canadian province of Quebec, made of french fries and cheese curds covered in gravy. 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). A Canadian food staple. But Canadians use it differently. Looking to create a blog? Moving abroad? Nickname for the city of Winnipeg, the capital of the province of Manitoba. This Is Thatisan award-winning satirical radio program that doesn't just talk about the issues, it fabricates them. Disclosure: I censored this post to remove any derogatory words or terms rooted in racism (youd be surprised how many I had to cut). Edmonton. Klick is slang for kilometre. A Canuck is a slang term for a Canadian person. Example I prefer cakes without icing sugar, Sounds funny right? I had to include this term with the insane heat and humidity were currently getting in Toronto. It offers a variety of recreational activities for all ages, including hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and more. It can now be confused with the term joggers for baggy womens pants. Words like "keener," "gonger," and "Texas mickey" might confuse Americans. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-72659260-1&cid=81aa5148-f04d-49f4-b7a9-5d997a006f5d&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=2558952325839011645'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); Either way, you probably will hear someone say it in passing while youre in Canada. This is both a slang and a trend among Canadian men. In 1987, when the Canadian dollar bill was replaced by a coin stamped with an image of a birdthe common loonit wasnt long before the nickname loonie took hold. Note: this is not to be confused with May two-four (24) weekend, which is a holiday in Canada. 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. That's interesting During a conversation, Minnesotans are too nice to actually voice their opinion. and see what you pick up. It's excess vocab that you say anyways. Your living area is above the first floor. My favourite Canadian slang term that I use all the time even though I dont often wear them! Minnesotans have their own special language. To help keep track of where these Canadian slang terms come from, Ill be grouping them by their location. Americans call it the parking garage or parking deck. This one is not so much confusing to outsiders as simply superfluous. Sign up for our newsletter and get a curated list of the top These words to the fight song are really all we need in order to show our love for the team. Its simple math: Beer + Belly = Molson + Muscle. Michiganders Like to Save Time. Not the sound a bird makes, but making fun of someone or trash-talking the opposition during a competition. It insinuates that shes only interested in the game due to attraction to the players or attempting to date the players. If something is really blunt or straight up, it is considered dry. A toque is a knit winter hat like a beanie. So I told him how I prepared for the trip, packing and moving stuff, included driving around LA to find his new apartment. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); What's one of the most relatable things about Minnesota? "Who on earth legalizes this substance, why is it served to children, and what possibly possessed the Board of Health to let it become so common it's an idiom?," asks Thorpe. asks Huffington Post reader Jaclyn Currie. WebIf a Canadian is trying to encourage someone, they may say keep trying or giver. Real Canadians try as hard as they can! The Land of 10,000 Lakes has its very own language, which is quite unique. I've never heard my friends use them." Commonly mispronounced words include schedule, prescription, tomato, and probably. Canadians actually end most of their words in eh. This is the term to describe a guy that is smooth with the ladies. In Minnesota, the classic children's game Duck, Duck, Goose is called Duck, Duck, Gray Duck. Canadians have a lot of interesting mannerisms, but not all are technically slang. And for more insight into the phrase, including how it popped up on non-Happy Days TV, learn theThe 50 Funniest Jokes From Arrested Development. In the winter, Canadians break out their toboggans or sleds to go tobogganing down snowy hills. Its simply short for homogenized milk or whole milk with 3.25% fat. Like kitty-corner; how else do you say when things are diagonally across an intersection without so many words?? And for more on how strange our country can be, learn theThe 40 Most Enduring Myths in American History. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); It refers to the 6 neighbourhoods that merged to make up Toronto. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Dotdash Meredith Publishing Family. This refers to anyone from the Maritime provinces in Atlantic Canada. Do this and youll be screeched in. Kraft Dinner is a box of mac and cheese that you can make at home. "Green thumb" is yet another phrase that brings to mind a literal image (a person whose thumb is the color green) that doesn't describe what it's actually referring to (a person who's handy with gardening). Whats the best way to book my Canada accommodations? Kyle Richardson. It is formed from a French word that shares the same meaning, cap. This supersized 101 ounces of alcohol lends credence to the unofficial state slogan that everything is bigger in Texas. Its become so ubiquitous that you can now order your coffee this way across Canada, even outside of a Tim Hortons! Its name comes from the Loon (a bird) on the Tails side of the coin. Some words I've noticed I pronounce differently than many Americans are sure (shore), organization (organ I zeyshun), and video (videyoh). So next time you come across a Canadian, you wont be so confused when they speak. It should however not be confused with the Canadian whole milk. A common courtesy to bring over to a friends house and a great way to stay warm in the winter. When directly translated, this American phrase sounds to a non-English speaker that the speaker is wishing them ill will or putting some kind of curse on them. Means go for it or help yourself, especially when referring to food. They also refer to their islands and the island (Vancouver Island) differently depending on where they live in the province. The truth is Canadians actually cherish and pride in their linguistic diversity and cultural heritage, and there are a lot of Canadian slang words that show this heritage. Saying sorry at every given opportunity may seem like a little too much but the fact cannot be denied that it makes people come across as less self-absorbed and community-oriented. This phrase has two meanings. However, you should never drink river or lake water anywhere in the country! Living around Canada, especially in the Maritimes, I learned even more fascinating Canadian terms that I wish were more widely known. Ive literally never heard anyone outside of American television use this term. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. If there is something in abundance, then you've got bare amount of it. antivirus or antifreeze). Its like the American Big Foot or the northern Yeti. Also, the nickname of the professional hockey team from Vancouver. Take forever to say goodbye. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Drive through a blizzard without thinking twice. WebThe Canadian 'accent' can be heard most easily in the following words: out, about, house, and others with 'ou'. If someone says something entertaining, youd respond with jokes. Example It caused quite the kerfuffle when He slapped her. Then he said 'yeah, tell me about it.' Either way, I hope you laugh and learn while reading this guide to 100+ Canadian slang words. It still does, but sweatpants have become more prominent. Nina Clapperton is the founder of Nina Out and About. An example is a skor. If youd like to learn more, do some research on regional slang or hang out with some fun Canadians (like me!) Molson is a common brand of Canadian beer, and the muscle being referred to is the belly. ", Those tacky zippered packs that strap around your waist may be making a high-fashion comeback, but that won't make the term any less hilarious and weird to British visitors. Usually used for driving directions. WebTo say that Canadians are saying aboot is linguistically inaccurate; ooh is a monophthong and the proper Canadian dialect uses a diphthong. They thought it was awful to refer to 'keeping' a person," says one reddit user. But the most confusing aspect about this openness is our tendency to ask people, "How are you?" Don't mistaken this as an innocent question. It has no relation to their actual appearance. Thank you! This term is starting to gain traction in Ontario, but its got its roots in the East Coast. These are some of the popular Canadian slang words. Runners are your casual sport shoes, like the sneakers or tennis shoes. An informal term for an individual from Canada, instead of the more formal Canadian. We call them snowbirds since they seem to migrate like birds. Not referring to the popular soft drink, ting is a largely interchangeable term used across the GTA. Accents and slang develop differently in each city and province, creating a great tapestry of Canadian dialects.