I've never heard my friends use them." WebTo say that Canadians are saying aboot is linguistically inaccurate; ooh is a monophthong and the proper Canadian dialect uses a diphthong. 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. It is not! 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. Don't mistaken this as an innocent question. Used interchangeably with terms like brownnoser and Participate in meat raffles. Its simply short for homogenized milk or whole milk with 3.25% fat. The local English slang has French and British influences. Other popular swear words include os-tee (the It doesnt matter where you are, thats the middle. "Is this what Americans mean by 'bacon?' Hence the nickname snowbirds. But for those hearing it for the first time and not particularly familiar with pool, it can be a baffling American expression. Short for dpanneur, the term for a convenience store in the French-speaking province Quebec. Canadian Slang Words You Need to Know - Culture Trip 10 / 54 rd.com How to pronounce DECREASE If youre using it as a noun, its de -crease. This is both a slang and a trend among Canadian men. Luckily with language that's similar to that of our fellow Mississaugaand Brampton mans we can still communicate well. In my experience, it's pronounced as Zed about 95% of the time. I don't even have a scooter with me.'". As a verb, when you're showing off, otherwise known as "stunting," and as an add on to a noun when you're about to go somewhere or do something. } ); Molson is a common brand of Canadian beer, and the muscle being referred to is the belly. When you become a Newfoundlander, you have to drink Screech and kiss a cod (a dead fish theyve got sitting around at the bar). Nowadays, weve become properly American-ized and call then bathrobes or robes. American Phrases That Confuse Visitors From Abroad - Insider It comes from the gold rush days when people had to live through harsh winters. To chirp someone is to verbally tease them in a mean or aggressive way. An informal term for an individual from Canada, instead of the more formal Canadian. 5. WebTo Americans, The Gong Show is an intentionally awful talent show hosted by a heavily disguised (and proudly Canadian!) But, then youre in danger of forgetting how to say it in American-English. Toronto. In Canada, our electricity comes from the hydroelectric power company. Americans might casually say this when asking someone to move slightly, but those who aren't familiar with the term can be forgiven for not having a clue what the American is asking them to do. Ive always loved language. "I frequently get too literal with my sayings," a Korean redditor writes. This word is one of the Canadian slang words used when referring to a multi-level parking structure. Giveer means to give it your all. Technically this isnt slang since its a translation, but it means thank you. Example Get me a chocolate bar with the homo milk. Translated literally as troubleshooter, the abbreviation has also joined the lexicon of anglophones in reference to corner stores across the country. Typically its an outdoor structure, but we use it interchangeably to refer to an underground parking garage as well. 35 things Canadians say that Americans don't understand Advertisement Jul 26, 2021, 12:47 IST Keener: A person who is extremely eager or keen. Its the Canadian word for restroom. Some are more obscure than others, but theyre all really fun. Its a doughnut filled with jam. However, you should never drink river or lake water anywhere in the country! 4. 30 American Sayings That Leave Foreigners Totally Puzzled. 14. coldbrook 14 yr. ago. A hoser is slang for a dumb person, but in a sort of polite and endearing way unique to Canadians. 15 Words and Phrases Youll Only Hear in Canada ", When someone is being a downer or ruining everyone else's good time, we may use this expression, leaving foreigners to ask, "What's that have to do with blankets?" Canadian slang words are just hilarious. Kevin Pollock, Writer and Manager of Content at Wix. This is another one of those American-entertainment terms. This is an often-used exclamation among most millennials, but used frequently by older Minnesotans. Each week, hosts Pat Kelly and Peter Oldring introduce you to the voices and stories that give this country character in this 100% improvised send-up of public radio. They come in a variety of flavours and are sold individually or by the box. Someone from New Brunswick. In 1998 the municipalities of East York, Etobicoke, North York, York, Scarborough, and the former Toronto merged to make what is now Toronto. This set the stage less than a decade later, when it came time to name the newly released two dollar cointhe toonie. Toonie (as I prefer to spell it) comes from Loonie. I hope you learned a bit more about Canadian sayings and how a lot of our slang seems to refer to alcohol. Here are the words that most Canadians say wrong. 100%YES! This one really throws our northern neighbor. An example is a skor. As you can tell, I have a special relationship with out and about, since I named my blog after it. 10 Really Weird Things Australians Say So lets look at some regional Canadian sayings! This is a BC-specific term that means impressive or exceptional. Those annoying fans wouldnt stop chirping the whole game., A quicker way to say kilometers (or kilometres) when referring to distance and directions. What groupies are to rock bands, puck bunnies are to hockey teams. Some spell the word as Klick also Freezies are what Americans call ice pops, freeze pops or otter pops. Participate in meat raffles. Its a word adopted from Quebec. Never stutter at your snooty waiter again. And for fascinating info about cash, learn the20 Crazy Facts You Never Knew About One Dollar Bills. Your champagne birthday is when you turn the same age as your birthdate. These are all the names of the liquor stores across Canada. British Columbia is the southwesternmost Canadian province, known for its warmer winters, laidback lifestyle, and high-quality marijuana. And you definitely don't need to search any of these up on Urban Dictionary! Northern slang for frozen whale skin and blubber. If someone is being wishy washy or sus (short for suspicious), then you can easily categorize them as being "mix up". And for more on how strange our country can be, learn theThe 40 Most Enduring Myths in American History. Growing up I was 100% a keener. There are very few, rural areas that you cant. They're very fond, for instance, of this utterly bizarre expression, which seems to have a fairly straightforward meaning, but is truly, weirdly American, with its connotations of down-home farms and Avon salesmen." Listed below are 13 of the most unique things Minnesotans say. They also identify with the same references in the aspects of culture. I didnt know this was a Canadian thing, but apparently its not common around the world. This region includes Qubec and Ontario. WebSynonyms for WEIRD: bizarre, strange, funny, odd, curious, peculiar, erratic, crazy; Antonyms of WEIRD: normal, typical, usual, ordinary, standard, average, commonplace, Ive literally never heard anyone outside of American television use this term. 1. While you can still find them on Canadian slang posts or the Wikipedia about Canadian language, Ive genuinely never heard them used before. If you are driving with a Canadian and he/she says Hang a Larry, I know you will surely want to know this Larry guy you are supposed to hang. Use coozies to keep beer from freezing in the cold winter weather. Its no secret that winters in Canada can be some of the longest and coldest on the planet. WebImportantly, Canadians do not intersperse either word at random throughout sentences. This is a Commonwealth trait that we have leftover from Britain, as its just as rampant in New Zealand. Learn more. If someone is on unemployment, they are on pogey. Narcity Media Inc. 25 Toronto Slang Words You've Definitely Heard At Least Once, 14 Toronto Slang Words That Prove The 6ix Is Truly In A Linguistic League Of Its Own - Narcity . I dispute this being a Canadian-only term I think its just fancier than what Americans usually use. Its not the original any longer. Nova Scotian slang for someone who is sketchy or greasy. And for hilarious instances of this, check out these50 Epic Fails We Can't Stop Laughing at. If youre driving a car in Canada and the navigation system tells you to hang a Larry, it simply means to turn left. Timmies (among other nicknames) refers to Canadas largest coffee and doughnut chain, Tim Hortons. For example, you may say that Timmies is kitty-corner to your home if it is diagonally across an intersection. Hey Canadians! Just how prevalent is the "Zed" pronunciation It refers to the citys Ukrainian population apparently. Here is another of the funny Canadian slang words. So, I want to get rid of my Canadian accent for when I go to America someday. Phrase of encouragement when trying to finish something, as in: Youve got a bit more beer left in your glass, gitr done., Another phrase of encouragement to give it all you got, particularly when it comes to sports and athletics. "All the bases in terms of contact with a [member of the opposite sex]" confuse one Reddit user. While apologising every time you breathe might be a redundant practice, not apologising at all for your errors and That means its Zed not Zee, miles not kilometers, crisps not chips, and hummus on everything. The original Mounties were all on horseback, but nowadays they take other forms of transit as well. So where other countries get electrical bills, we get hydro bills. This slang means make a right turn. Essentially gitr done means finish it. If youre 1, then its sort of a letdown. What other things Minnesotans say have you noticed? Initially, this referred to Vancouver. She has lived in 18 countries in the past 10 years, explored more than 30 countries, and has done most of it solo. It means homogenized milk, or milk with 3.25% fat thats blended in differently than in 2% milk. This term is starting to gain traction in Ontario, but its got its roots in the East Coast. Thanks to a visit from world renowned linguist and pronunciation expert, Nev Chandelle, we have learned the most commonly mispronounced words in the English language. The phrase ends up being full of excitement. Example All I need is a Mickey, am keeping it low-key tonight. 2. Its confusing to newcomers, especially if English isnt your first language. I often use this to describe going cottaging in Muskoka, which is barely halfway up Ontario. Example Hang a Larry after two blocks. It implies that shes only there for the cowboys, which isnt always the case. "I was talking to some Spanish people a while back, and they were shocked by the term 'keeper' to refer to a good [significant other] (e.g. 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. says Huffington Post reader Josiane Rocha. For finding cheap Canadian flights, I recommendSkyscanner. This phrase has two meanings. 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. The Scarborough version of this is known as "beanazz" because in Scarborough the slang can be pretty extra AF. The phrase is common across the GTA and rooted from the Jamaican patois vocabulary. "And I just thought 'What? WebCanadians, British, or US Americans saying that others have an accent and they don't is simply false. Not sure why cheese and anger are used interchangeably, but if someone from Toronto tells you they're feeling cheesed, don't take it as a joke. We actually use this term a lot in Canada. She helps over 100,000 people per month plan their expat adventures and Canadian trips. Like kitty-corner; how else do you say when things are diagonally across an intersection without so many words?? I was fascinated to learn how differently people speak a province over or a few cities north. Ive always loved them because it lets me sample a bunch of doughnut flavours when Im too indecisive to pick one. Example The house is about five clicks away. After all, they're likely not working at an actual cemetery, and even if they were, it's unlikely they would be there in the middle of the nightwork at the graveyard happens during the day, just like everywhere else. Its a lot more fun when youre of legal drinking age. Canadians are given that look when they use this slang in the US. To us, a beauty is something that has done well or a great person. Ope is an exclamation thats similar to oops.. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! I dont know why we broke away from the two places that we get a lot of our language, but its sort of a fun rebellion on our part. It quickly got out of hand, so here we are with 100+ Canadian phrases for you to learn and share! Ive found them most common in the Prairies although the Maritimes was full of them in Fall. Now the city is labelled as the 6ix, but Tdot is forever stuck with some people, however, it's so five years ago! 2023 Galvanized Media. Example Get me a homo milk at the store, This slang is known as colored pencil in the US. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! "Took me a while to figure out that they just mean 'hi,'" said Huffington Post reader Nynke Bottinga. An example would be "You finna better check yourself. 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). Sign up for our newsletter and get a curated list of the top Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. These are some of the popular Canadian slang words. Funny A common way for a Canadian to order their coffeedouble cream, double sugar. They are common Canadian slang words Americans should know. 30 American Activities That Are Bizarre to Foreigners. Often it can take an outsider to point out just how strange some American expressions area foreigner who can raise an eyebrow in confusion to the turn of phrase that many in the U.S. take for granted. Fun fact: KD is our most consumed product in Canada, even beating out maple syrup! Supposedly originating from the voting system in ancient Greece, foreigners could be forgiven for thinking this American phrase is referring to some kind of accident in the kitchen rather than a person telling a secret or some other information that were not supposed to reveal. Not literally. We share a lot of values with Americans and can identify with the same cultural references. It is in fact a real human toe thats been mummified or preserved. Pronounced too-uk, its a warm, brimless, knit hatoften with a tassel or pom-pom on topwhich people outside of Canada usually call a ski hat or a beanie. This Is Thatisan award-winning satirical radio program that doesn't just talk about the issues, it fabricates them. Whenever a Minnesotan says "goodbye," it's a long and drawn-out process often taking multiple hours and many hugs and handshakes. A cat? My go-to for Canadian hotels is Booking.com. They are the Canadian version of the FBI and deal with a lot of serious crimes. ", 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. Sub How to Speak Like a Canadian with The Planet D. That's the case with a number of AmericanismsAmerican sayings we are so used to uttering that we forget they don't actually make any sense or have been so removed from their original meanings that it takes a linguist to connect them. Of course, every country has the term beauty or some form of it. For us, it might seem like a powerful statement, but for outsiders, it can just seem weird. Like Americans, we refer to dollars and bucks. 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. "Tdot" If you're from Toronto and over the A Canadian food staple. It should however not be confused with the Canadian whole milk. The letter U may not be the most common starting, In this article, we will explore a list of common, In the English language, there are a plethora of verbs, The letter Q is not commonly used in the English, Verbs starting with the letter E are used in daily, 20 Common Canadian Slang Words Americans Should Know, IELTS Writing: Videos for IELTS Writing Preparation from British Council, Learn 80+ Useful Expressions in English | Other Ways to Say , Passive Voice: How to Use the Passive Voice with Different Tenses, List of 120+ Popular English Idioms Arranged, Camping Vocabulary: Useful Camping List with Pictures. Klick is slang for kilometre. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider A person who spends most of their time at the skating rink. Drive through a blizzard without thinking twice. However, Tim Hortons makes a cakier style of doughnut than most, so expect it to be a bit denser and less fried than a doughnut hole. "I found that hilarious and struggled to keep a straight face whenever any of my American colleagues used the word fanny. Means take it easy. When the fields are plowed, especially the cornfields, it looks like stubble. This word can be used when referring to street shoes too. 7 Hills Every Minnesotan Is Willing To Die On, 15 Things People From Minnesota Always Have To Explain To Out Of Towners, 10 Undeniable Things Youll Find In Every Minnesota Home, 15 Reasons Living In Minnesota Is The Best And Everyone Should Move Here, 11 Strange Habits Every Minnesotan Will Defend To The Death, 10 Secrets Every Minnesotan Will Confess To If You Know Them Well Enough, 8 Words And Phrases People In Minnesota Just Dont Understand, 13 Thoughts Everyone From Minnesota Has When Growing Up, wikimedia commons/Staff Sgt. "Here in the U.K. fanny [means something vulgar]," says Huffington Post reader Sonia Atkins. xhr.send(payload); What's one of the most relatable things about Minnesota? Thats a dicey history that I wont get into here, but I wanted to include the term since its very common amongst Canadians. 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. Similarly, you can order a single single or a triple triple (although that sounds like a lot of dairy and sugar). It's simply "pop.". things Canadians say that Americans don't understand Yes In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. Its most used in Calgary, where we have our largest rodeo. Short for decoy, a hockey term that refers to an athletic move where the player controlling the puck fakes out or deceives their opponent. ), Americans are fond of this term, but the American phrase can also seem a bit mysterious to outsiders. Example Meet me at Timmies in the morning. It seems like they are used more often for male underwear than female. Say This is actually a strain of wind, like the El Nio, but people dont usually say it to refer to the weather phenomenon. 1. I dont believe that those words are appropriate for the world I want to live in or for the future Canada is moving towards. Up North is where all the lakes and cabins are, and where the best fall foliage is. This term comes from the reservations that our Indigenous people live on across the country. Drive through a blizzard without thinking twice. We even have them at office meetings now. antivirus or antifreeze). It doesn't matter the actual direction. Whats Going On With the Way Canadians Say About? - Atlas If you're calling out at your homies to come over and hang out, you just simply say "reach." and "Oh for fun!" Special thanks to my Islander friend for teaching me PEI fighting words, which is possibly the best Youtube video Ive ever seen and the perfect documentation of a PEI accent. Example All I have on me is a loonie Larger places like Toronto have gained many slang nicknames over the years, some of which are starting to fade. 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. Runners are your casual sport shoes, like the sneakers or tennis shoes. A Canuck is a slang term for a Canadian person. This is derived from something looking beat up or haggard. Canadians will be agreeing with you, but they say yeah, no. It's the Sauga version of saying "that's nice". The alternative word for this is powdered sugar. Oddly, we dont think of Quebec as east its sort of its own thing. Essentially, a Sasquatch is a large, hairy figure in the woods that has a lot of lore surrounding it. and "what's Monday have to do with anything?". Refers to the island itself and not Labrador. Synonymous with a brown-noser or overachiever. It can now be confused with the term joggers for baggy womens pants. If you order your coffee this way, youll get one with two creams and two sugars. An example would be saying something like "yo my ex is being a mix up ting dawg". Its super simple and oddly delicious for something made with powdered cheese. "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). That party last night got really out of hand. The term was made popular by Mississauga rapper and artist Ramriddlz and Toronto's very own 6ix god Drake. A Mickey is about a flask-sized measure of alcohol that you can buy from the grocery store. Chesterfields are sofas or couches. The way Canadians use their slang is pretty skookum eh? 43 'Canadian Slang Words' Translated For Americans - MTL Blog This is 6ix talk for "let it be". For example, it may be 28C, but with the humidex it feels like 35C. If your phone doesnt work in Canada, I recommend getting a Canadian SIM card so you can get around and stay in contact with loved ones. If something is lame or not up to par with your certain 6ix standards, then it is considered weak. But for an outsider to the U.S., it might have them asking, "What do rockets have to do with anything?". "It's ingenuity like that which makes America the home of so many start-up founders, I'm sure of it.". Tweet me @sotafiedjo! Initially, the term referred to French Canadian settlers of Quebec. Aluminum= The British pronunciation is a tongue twister. If you're from Toronto and over the age of 25, then you've most likely used this often. Across Canada, we tend to think of our home as being the centre of the country. } else { Wheeling means to be in the early stages of dating someone. If you love the outdoors, Minnesota is the perfect place to be. If youre from Canada, I think its important to learn these Canadian terms to know more about our national identity. Here are the words that most Canadians say wrong | CBC Radio Pencil crayons are pencils that feature coloured graphite. This is most often said by hockey dads from what I can tell. My favourite Canadian slang term that I use all the time even though I dont often wear them! Mike Myers. WebOur latest travel vlog shows you how Canadians Talk with the best Canadian slang words and weird phrases. 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. Thank you! It comes easier after a few tries. Badass female expat with a passion for making new countries my home. WebPronounced too-uk or tuke in a Canadian accent. This is an older Canadian term. 4. If someone is being stupid, you just resort to calling them a bean, it's pretty simple. Where's your 6ix fam at? I live near Cook Nuclear Power Plant, "nuke-yuh-ler." Example I am heading to the washroom, This is one of the Canadian slang words that refer to milk with 3.25% fat. How to Speak Like a Canadian - 21 Funny Canada Slang Words "My dad's girlfriend works with people from around the world," writes one user on Reddit. For us, the term gong show This word refers to a cap with a small brim or no Test your knowledge with my Canada Day Quiz, Fly to Canada for less with Skyscanner [ad]. Im guessing something about the coziness of a hoodie led to the name, but I couldnt find a good explanation. Get out on the ice and giver.. Unfortunately, those learning the language can't always quite piece together what it means, with little context given to all this sudden knocking on tables and doors. "My wife is particularly amused when I say 'bread maker' instead of 'bread winner' or when I refer to something as 'down my aisle' rather than 'up my alley. When we're being dramatic or trying to emphasize a point, Americans will occasionally add "period" to the end of their sentence. Think Hermoine Granger shed be a classic keener. They are usually brightly painted and have quite a low seat with a very high back and thick arms. If you tripped, you biffed it.