Need to discuss like an actual Canadian, eh? From Tim Hortons runs to two-fours on the cottage, Canadian slang is as numerous as our nation itself. Whilst we might sound very similar to our American neighbors, accept as true with us—we’ve were given our personal bizarre, superb, and wildly complicated words.
Whether or not you’re ordering a double-double, dodging a rink rat, or kicking again in a Muskoka chair, we’ve were given you lined with this final information to Canadian slang phrases and words. So, earlier than you throw a Chesterfield kerfuffle, let’s dive in, eh?
Learn how to Discuss Canadian – The Final Information to Canadian Slang
Most of the people assume Canadians discuss so much like our American neighbours, however in fact, we’re a little bit bizarre up right here within the Nice White North. Plus, Canadians can select a Canadian accessory anytime so don’t assume that stitching a Canadian flag to your backpack unexpectedly turns you right into a Canuck.
Canuck
The phrase Canuck is certainly one of my favourites. This time period refers to Canadians. We’ve got the Vancouver Canucks, certainly one of Canada’s maximum liked hockey groups, and within the Nineteen Eighties, our downhill skiers who ruled the Global Cup circuit have been referred to as the Loopy Canucks, and I’m for my part a proud Canuck. In the event you haven’t figured it out but, Canuck is some other time period for a Canadian. It’s such a lot more effective and shorter. I’m a Canuck guy!
Eh
That is our maximum well-liked Canadian pronouncing and everybody mocks us via the usage of “eh” in probably the most ridiculous words they usually by no means get it proper. So I’m going to provide you with a handy guide a rough lesson on the best way to the phrase “eh”.
All you must do is make a observation like “This is a really nice time out nowadays.” In the event you upload “eh” to the tip of that observation, you’ll flip it right into a query that may require a pleasant answer from the individual you might be chatting with.
Tuque
A knit wintry weather hat, recognized somewhere else all over the world as a beanie. Each and every Canadian owns no less than one. I went my complete early life and a big portion of my grownup existence no longer figuring out that this used to be a phrase best utilized in Canada. “Tuque” as it’s spelled in Quebec (it’s spelled toque in English Canada) is a novel Canadian slang phrase used around the nation to explain a wintry weather hat. Purchase your personal Canadian tuque on Amazon.
Crucial Canadian Phrases You Wish to Know Sooner than Visiting
Loonie and Toonie
Our one-dollar coin is named a “Loonie” (because of the loon on it). Naturally, when the two-dollar coin got here out, we named it a “Toonie” as it rhymes with Loonie. Logical, proper?
Washroom
Fail to remember “restroom” or “rest room.” In Canada, it’s at all times the washroom.
Hydro
Canadians don’t pay an “electrical invoice.” We pay for hydro, even in puts the place our energy isn’t hydroelectric.
Meals & Drink Slang You Wish to Know
Bloody Caesar
Canada’s model of a Bloody Mary, made with Clamato juice (clam and tomato juice).
Common / Double-Double
At Tim Hortons, a “common” espresso comes with one cream and one sugar. A “double-double”? Two lotions, two sugars. Candy sufficient to make a beaver blush.
Timbits
Donut holes from Tim Hortons. “I’ll take hold of a field of Timbits for the assembly.”
Kraft Dinner
Our liked mac and cheese, immortalized in music via the Barenaked Women.
Poutine
Canada’s nationwide dish—fries, cheese curds, and gravy. “Let’s take hold of some poutine after the bar.” Absolute best loved at 3 AM. Learn extra about Canadian meals such because the Beaver Tail and Nanaimo Bar at our put up: Most sensible Will have to-Check out Canadian Meals for Foodies and Vacationers
Freezie
A frozen flavored ice deal with. “I beloved consuming freezies all over summer season as a child.”
Chocolate Bar
What the remainder of the arena calls a sweet bar.
Homo Milk
Canadians’ time period for entire milk. Homogenized Milk.
Vintage Canadian Words & Sayings
Hoser
Talking of Bob and Doug Mackenzie, it used to be those two lovely Hosers that introduced the time period Hoser to the mainstream in Canada. Hoser is an old-school insult made well-known via Bob and Doug McKenzie, that means an fool or loser. Instance:
“Take off, ya hoser!”
Two-4
A case of 24 beers. “Pick out up a two-four for the birthday celebration.” We purchase our beer on the Beer Retailer in Canada and a field of 24 beers is just shortened to the phrases “two 4.”
Molson Muscle
A lager abdominal. “He’s been running on his Molson muscle all wintry weather.” Neatly, older Canadians anyway. Lots of the GenZ drink craft beer, and wouldn’t contact Molson.
Pop
American citizens say “soda.” We are saying pop.
Chesterfield
An old-school time period for a sofa or settee.
Comfort Retailer
The nook retailer the place you take hold of snacks and necessities.
Darts
Canadian slang for a cigarette. “Goin’ out for a dart” approach you’re stepping outdoor to smoke.
Canadian Way of life & Tradition Slang
Would possibly 2 – 4 Weekend
Victoria Day weekend, frequently celebrated via consuming a case of 24 beers. “We’re heading to the cottage for Would possibly Two-4.”
Out and About No longer Oot and Aboot
We don’t say “oot and aboot.” It’s nearer to “a-boat.” Believe us. In the event you truly need to delve into the reasoning for the variation. Take a look at Grammar Lady. She explains the diphthong variations eloquently right here.
Zed
Canadians say “Zed” as a substitute of “Zee” for the letter Z—except for when relating to ZZ Most sensible. I used to pressure a Zed 28 automotive. American citizens name it Zee28, and that’s simply bizarre.
Knapsack
Our phrase for backpack or rucksack, particularly amongst grade faculty scholars.
Stag and Stagette or Stag and Doe
Our model of bachelor and bachelorette events. A pre-wedding birthday celebration to lift price range for the couple. “They’re website hosting a stag and doe subsequent month.”
Bachelor Condominium
And talking of the time period bachelor we name a studio condo or a small condo with no separate bed room a bachelor condo with an open residing and napping house. “I discovered a comfortable bachelor downtown.”
Chinook
A heat wintry weather wind that may soften Alberta’s snow in hours. Dwelling in Alberta, Canada, my folks frequently mentioned Chinooks blowing in from the mountains, bringing hotter climate from British Columbia, and the way great it used to be.
Canadian Phrases for Towns and Areas
Newfie
Newfie – A proud nickname for anyone from Newfoundland. Need to sound native? Say “Newfanland”, no longer “New-found-land.” In the event you truly need to communicate like a Newfoundlander take a look at those chatting with a Newfie and say, I Come from Away (an out of towner) need to be Screeched In. (the Newfoundland custom of kissing the cod)
The 6ix
Toronto’s nickname, popularized via Drake. Toronto has a couple of nicknames which can be nonetheless used like T-Dot, Hog The city and the Giant Smoke. Take a look at extra amusing Canadian nicknames for our towns and cities.
Cowtown
A nickname for Calgary, because of its cowboy tradition. When in Calgary stay an ear out for those amusing slang phrases like Stampede Stash – The mustache you develop for the Calgary Stampede. Yeehaw Juice – Whisky, in most cases Crown Royal. Rig Pig – A time period for anyone who works at the oil rigs and if you wish to order a whisky and soda the native means take a look at ordering ranch water.
The Peg
A nickname for Winnipeg (previously “Winterpeg”). Do you know that Winnipeg is Slurpee Capital? It consumes extra Slurpees consistent with capita than any place else which is atypical since it’s chillier than maximum towns.
Humorous Canadian Sayings
Friend / Bud
Within the Maritimes, “friend” is a common stand-in for an individual’s title. Didn’t catch anyone’s title? Simply name ’em “friend.” It’s the Canadian means.
Mickey / Texas Mickey
A “mickey” is a 375ml bottle of liquor—easiest for slipping into your pocket. A “Texas mickey”? That’s a whopping 3-liter bottle. Continue with warning.
Kerfuffle
A commotion or fuss. “There used to be an actual kerfuffle on the rink final night time.”
Bunny Hug
Saskatchewan’s distinctive time period for a hoodie (sure, truly). “It’s cold; take hold of your bunny hug.”
Attractiveness
When one thing’s top-notch, we name it a “good looks.” Scored tickets to a Leafs recreation? “Attractiveness, eh!”
Sports activities & Hockey Slang (As a result of, Canada)
Rink Rat
Any person who nearly lives on the hockey rink, whether or not they’re a participant, skater, or only a superfan. I used to be a rink rat, other folks have been at all times pronouncing “She’s an actual rink rat, at all times working towards her skating.”
Deke
A hockey transfer the place a participant fakes out an opponent. Off the ice, it approach to dodge or steer clear of one thing.
Goon
A difficult man or enforcer, particularly in hockey. “The workforce’s goon were given right into a combat.”
Grasp a Larry / Grasp a Roger
Want instructions? “Grasp a Larry” approach flip left; “Grasp a Roger” approach flip proper. Why Larry and Roger? Your bet is as just right as ours.
Puck Bunny
A fan, in most cases feminine, who’s extra within the avid gamers than the sport. “She’s this type of puck bunny, at all times striking across the rink.”
Quebec Slang – Tabarnak! Be informed the Lingo
Assume you realize French? Neatly, Quebecois slang is a entire different beast. It’s phase French, phase English, and 100% uniquely Canadian. Whether or not you’re grabbing snacks at a dep or swearing at wintry weather like a real Montrealer, listed below are a couple of French Canadian words that’ll permit you to live to tell the tale in L. a. Belle Province.
Dépanneur (Dep)
Fail to remember calling it a “nook retailer”—in Quebec, it’s a dépanneur (or simply “dep”). That is the place you opt for beer, chips, smokes, or last-minute survival necessities when the whole thing else is closed. And sure, you’ll purchase booze on the dep. Quebec wins.
Frette
In the event you talk over with Montreal in wintry weather, this phrase will change into your easiest pal—and worst enemy. Frette = Freezing chilly.
?? “Tabarnak, c’est frette dehors!” (Translation: “Holy *%$# it’s freezing outdoor!”)
Extensively utilized to explain beer:
? “Snatch me a frette one from the refrigerator.” (Translation: “Chilly beer, please.”)
Câlisse
Ah sure, Quebec’s favourite swear phrase—so flexible it may be used as a noun, verb, or exclamation. At first a non secular time period (relating to the chalice in Catholic Mass), it has since advanced right into a go-to curse phrase.
? “Câlisse de neige!” (Translation: “Holy *%$# that’s a large number of snow!”)
Char
Fail to remember “voiture”—in Quebec, a automotive is a char (pronounced “shar”). “Mon char est pogné dans l. a. neige!” (Translation: “My automotive is caught within the snow!”) Simply some other reminder that wintry weather in Canada is a fight.
Patente
The final catch-all phrase for “thingamajig” or “whatchamacallit.” “Passe-moi l. a. patente à côté du truc.” (Translation: “Cross me that factor subsequent to the opposite factor.”) Truthfully, for those who ever put out of your mind the title of one thing, simply name it a patente—you’ll are compatible proper in.
Extra Canadian Phrases and Words
Mountie
A Mountie is a member of the Royal Canadian Fixed Police (RCMP). Canada’s federal police power from coast to coast to coast.
Pencil Crayon
What we name coloured pencils.
Keener
Any person who’s overly keen or enthusiastic, frequently the trainer’s puppy. “That keener completed the task per week early.”
Parkade
A multi-level parking storage, most commonly utilized in Western Canada.
Napkin
A serviette, however fancier.
Lineup
What others name a queue, we name a lineup. “There’s a lineup at Timmies this morning.”
For Certain
A definitive sure. “You coming to the birthday celebration?” “Needless to say!”
Gong Display
A chaotic or wild tournament. “That birthday celebration changed into an actual gong display.”
Distinctive Canadian Slang
Fill Yer Boots
A call for participation to take up to you wish to have. “We’ve were given quite a few meals, so fill yer boots!”
What You Sayin’?
An informal greeting that means “What are you as much as?” “Howdy
Jesus Murphy
Yep, I’m to blame of the usage of this one so much and it seems that this can be a distinctive Canadian time period.
To Be On Pogey
Being on welfare or unemployment advantages. “He’s been on pogey because the mill closed.”
Chirping
Just right-natured teasing or taunting, particularly in sports activities. “The avid gamers have been chirping every different all recreation.”
Eavestrough
What others would possibly name a gutter. “Blank the leaves out of the eavestrough earlier than wintry weather.”
Gasoline Bar
A fuel station, frequently with a comfort retailer. “Let’s forestall on the fuel bar for snacks.”
Snowbirds
Canadians who migrate south for the wintry weather. “My grandparents are snowbirds; they spend winters in Florida.”
Runners
Canadians don’t put on footwear—we put on run
Clicks
Canadian discuss for kilometers. Instance: Toronto is ready 500 clicks from Montreal.”
Muskoka Chair
The final Canadian kick back spot—chanced on on each dock, cottage deck, and lakeside retreat. Whilst American citizens name it an Adirondack chair, everyone knows the Muskoka chair reigns ideally suited. Snatch a lager, relax, and benefit from the view, eh?
So, there you’ve gotten it, many stuff Canadians say which can be a little bit bit out of the unusual up right here within the Nice White North. So, whilst you talk over with Canada, remember to experience our beaver tails, use the metric device and if you end up heading out to the East Coast remember to endearingly name a Newfoundlander a Newfie. Were given it?
Did we omit any vintage Canadian slang? Tell us within the feedback! And for those who’re making plans a shuttle to Canada, take a look at our Final Canadian Commute Information for recommendations on the place to move, what to consume, and the best way to mix in with the locals!
