Want to talk like an actual Canadian, eh? From Tim Hortons runs to two-fours on the cottage, Canadian slang is as various as our nation itself. While we could sound just like our American neighbors, belief us—we’ve obtained our personal bizarre, fantastic, and wildly complicated phrases.
Whether you’re ordering a double-double, dodging a rink rat, or kicking again in a Muskoka chair, we’ve obtained you coated with this final information to Canadian slang phrases and phrases. So, earlier than you throw a Chesterfield kerfuffle, let’s dive in, eh?
How to Speak Canadian – The Ultimate Guide to Canadian Slang
Most individuals suppose Canadians communicate rather a lot like our American neighbours, however the reality is, we’re a little bit bizarre up right here within the Great White North. Plus, Canadians can select a Canadian accent anytime so don’t suppose that stitching a Canadian flag in your backpack all of the sudden turns you right into a Canuck.
Canuck
The phrase Canuck is one in all my favourites. This time period referes to Canadians. We have the Vancouver Canucks, one in all Canada’s most beloved hockey groups, and within the Eighties, our downhill skiers who dominated the World Cup circuit have been referred to as the Crazy Canucks, and I’m personally a proud Canuck. If 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
This is our hottest Canadian saying and everybody mocks us by utilizing “eh” in essentially the most ridiculous phrases and so they by no means get it proper. So I’m going to provide you a fast lesson on how one can the phrase “eh”.All you need to do is make a press release like “It is a very nice day out today.” If you add “eh” to the top of that assertion, you may flip it right into a query that may require a pleasant reply from the particular person you might be speaking to.
Tuque
A knit winter hat, identified elsewhere world wide as a beanie. Every Canadian owns no less than one. I went my complete 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. Buy your personal Canadian tuque on Amazon.
Essential Canadian Words You Need to Know Before Visiting
Loonie and Toonie
Our one-dollar coin is known as 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
Forget “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.
Food & Drink Slang You Need to Know
Regular / Double-Double
At Tim Hortons, a “regular” espresso comes with one cream and one sugar. A “double-double”? Two lotions, two sugars. Sweet 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 Ladies.
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.
Classic Canadian Phrases & Sayings
Hoser
Speaking 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. Example:“Take off, ya hoser!”
Two-Four
A case of 24 beers. “Pick up a two-four for the party.” We purchase our beer on the Beer Store in Canada and a field of 24 beers is just shortened to the phrases “two four.”
Molson Muscle
A beer stomach. “He’s been working on his Molson muscle all winter.” Well, older Canadians anyway. Most of the GenZ drink craft beer, and wouldn’t contact Molson.
Pop
Americans say “soda.” We say pop.
Canadian Lifestyle & Culture Slang
May 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.” Trust us. If you actually wish to delve into the reasoning for the distinction. Check out Grammar Girl. 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 Top. I used to drive a Zed 28 automotive. Americans name it Zee28, and that’s simply bizarre.
Knapsack
Our phrase for backpack or rucksack, particularly amongst grade faculty college students.
Stag and Stagette or Stag and Doe
Our model of bachelor and bachelorette events. A pre-wedding get together to boost funds for the couple. “They’re hosting a stag and doe next month.”
Bachelor Apartment
And talking of the time period bachelor we name a studio house or a small house and not using a separate bed room a bachelor house with an open residing and sleeping area. “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. People from Newfoundland usually check with themselves as Newfies, and plenty of Canadians name individuals from Newfoundland Newfies. It is an endearing time period of affection and respect. However, we often keep on with Newfoundlanders. Note: When it involves saying Newfound land, don’t over pronounce the “Found.” Instead, make it sound extra like “Newfanland”. That’s extra Canadian.
Runners
Canadians don’t put on sneakers—we put on run
Clicks
Canadian communicate for kilometers. Example: 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”).
Beauty
When one thing’s top-notch, we name it a “beauty.” Scored tickets to a Leafs sport? “Beauty, eh!”
Mountie
A member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Pencil Crayon
What we name coloured pencils.
Keener
Someone 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.
Convenience Store
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.
Serviette
A serviette, however fancier.
Buddy / Bud
Don’t fear, it’s very Canadian to drink American beer
In the Maritimes, “buddy” is a common stand-in for an individual’s identify. Didn’t catch somebody’s identify? Just name ’em “buddy.” It’s the Canadian method.
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 & Hockey Slang (Because, Canada)
Rink Rat
Someone 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 have 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 tricky man or enforcer, particularly in hockey. “The team’s goon got into a fight.”
Hang a Larry / Hang a Roger
Need 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, usually 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 Sure
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 may name a gutter. “Clean the leaves out of the eavestrough before winter.”
Gas Bar
A gasoline 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 Show
A chaotic or wild occasion. “That party turned into a real gong show.”
Fill Yer Boots
An invitation 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 rather a lot and apparently it’s a distinctive Canadian time period.
Muskoka Chair
The final Canadian chill spot—discovered on each dock, cottage deck, and lakeside retreat. While Americans name it an Adirondack chair, everyone knows the Muskoka chair reigns supreme. Grab a beer, sit back, and benefit from the view, eh?
So, there you’ve it, many issues Canadians say which might be a little bit bit out of the extraordinary up right here within the Great White North. So, whenever you go to Canada, be sure that to get pleasure from our beaver tails, use the metric system and if you find yourself heading out to the East Coast be sure that to endearingly name a Newfoundlander a Newfie. Got it?
Can you consider some other Canadian sayings which might be distinctive to your area or the nation? Tell us some phrases distinctive to your nation, we wish to hear them.
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