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 might 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?
The best way to Communicate Canadian – The Final Information to Canadian Slang
Most individuals assume Canadians converse so much like our American neighbours, however the reality is, we’re a bit bizarre up right here within the Nice White North. Plus, Canadians can select a Canadian accent anytime so don’t assume 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 every of my favourites. This time period refers to Canadians. Now we have the Vancouver Canucks, one in every of Canada’s most beloved hockey groups, and within the Eighties, our downhill skiers who dominated the World Cup circuit have 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 most standard Canadian saying and everybody mocks us through the use of “eh” in probably the most ridiculous phrases and so they by no means get it proper. So I’m going to offer you a fast lesson on learn how to the phrase “eh”.
All it’s a must to do is make an announcement like “It’s a very good day trip immediately.” When you add “eh” to the top of that assertion, you possibly can 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 around the globe as a beanie. Each Canadian owns not 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. Purchase your individual Canadian tuque on Amazon.
Important Canadian Phrases You Must Know Earlier than Visiting
Loonie and Toonie
Our one-dollar coin 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
Neglect “restroom” or “lavatory.” In Canada, it’s at all times the washroom.
Hydro
Canadians don’t pay an “electrical invoice.” We pay for hydro, even in locations the place our energy isn’t hydroelectric.
Meals & Drink Slang You Must 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 seize a field of Timbits for the assembly.”
Kraft Dinner
Our beloved mac and cheese, immortalized in track by the Barenaked Girls.
Poutine
Canada’s nationwide dish—fries, cheese curds, and gravy. “Let’s seize some poutine after the bar.” Finest loved at 3 AM. Learn extra about Canadian meals such because the Beaver Tail and Nanaimo Bar at our submit: Prime Should-Attempt Canadian Meals for Foodies and Vacationers
Freezie
A frozen flavored ice deal with. “I liked consuming freezies throughout summer time as a child.”
Chocolate Bar
What the remainder of the world calls a sweet bar.
Homo Milk
Canadians’ time period for complete milk. Homogenized Milk.
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, which means an fool or loser. Instance:
“Take off, ya hoser!”
Two-4
A case of 24 beers. “Choose up a two-four for the celebration.” We purchase our beer on the Beer Retailer in Canada and a field of 24 beers is solely shortened to the phrases “two 4.”
Molson Muscle
A beer stomach. “He’s been engaged on his Molson muscle all winter.” Nicely, older Canadians anyway. Many of the GenZ drink craft beer, and wouldn’t contact Molson.
Pop
People say “soda.” We are saying pop.
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 exterior to smoke.
Canadian Life-style & Tradition Slang
Might 2 – 4 Weekend
Victoria Day weekend, typically celebrated by consuming a case of 24 beers. “We’re heading to the cottage for Might Two-4.”
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 wish to delve into the reasoning for the distinction. Take a look at Grammar Lady. She explains the diphthong variations eloquently right here.
Zed
Canadians say “Zed” as an alternative of “Zee” for the letter Z—besides when referring to ZZ Prime. I used to drive a Zed 28 automotive. People 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 celebration to lift funds for the couple. “They’re internet hosting a stag and doe subsequent month.”
Bachelor House
And talking of the time period bachelor we name a studio condo or a small condo with out a separate bed room a bachelor condo with an open dwelling and sleeping house. “I discovered a comfortable bachelor downtown.”
Chinook
A heat winter wind that may soften Alberta’s snow in hours. Dwelling in Alberta, Canada, my mother and father typically talked about Chinooks blowing in from the mountains, bringing hotter climate from British Columbia, and the way good it was.
Canadian Phrases for Cities and Areas
Newfie
Newfie – A proud nickname for somebody from Newfoundland. Wish to sound native? Say “Newfanland”, not “New-found-land.” When you actually wish to speak like a Newfoundlander strive these speaking to a Newfie and say, I Come from Away (an out of towner) wish to be Screeched In. (the Newfoundland custom of kissing the cod)
The 6ix
Toronto’s nickname, popularized by Drake. Toronto has just a few nicknames which can be nonetheless used like T-Dot, Hog City and the Large Smoke. Take a look at extra enjoyable Canadian nicknames for our cities and cities.
Cowtown
A nickname for Calgary, due to its cowboy tradition. When in Calgary preserve an ear out for these enjoyable slang phrases like Stampede Stash – The mustache you develop for the Calgary Stampede. Yeehaw Juice – Whisky, sometimes Crown Royal. Rig Pig – A time period for somebody who works on the oil rigs and if you wish to order a whisky and soda the native means strive ordering ranch water.
The Peg
A nickname for Winnipeg (previously “Winterpeg”). Do you know that Winnipeg is Slurpee Capital? It consumes extra Slurpees per capita than anyplace else which is odd since it’s colder than most cities.
Humorous Canadian Sayings
Buddy / Bud
Within the Maritimes, “buddy” is a common stand-in for an individual’s identify. Didn’t catch somebody’s identify? Simply name ’em “buddy.” It’s the Canadian means.
Mickey / Texas Mickey
A “mickey” is a 375ml bottle of liquor—good for slipping into your pocket. A “Texas mickey”? That’s a whopping 3-liter bottle. Proceed with warning.
Kerfuffle
A commotion or fuss. “There was an actual kerfuffle on the rink final evening.”
Bunny Hug
Saskatchewan’s distinctive time period for a hoodie (sure, actually). “It’s chilly; seize your bunny hug.”
Magnificence
When one thing’s top-notch, we name it a “magnificence.” Scored tickets to a Leafs sport? “Magnificence, eh!”
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, folks have been at all times saying “She’s an actual rink rat, at all times training 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 crew’s goon acquired right into a battle.”
Dangle a Larry / Dangle a Roger
Want instructions? “Dangle a Larry” means flip left; “Dangle 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, at all times hanging across the rink.”
Quebec Slang – Tabarnak! Study the Lingo
Assume you realize French? Nicely, Quebecois slang is a complete different beast. It’s half French, half English, and 100% uniquely Canadian. Whether or not you’re grabbing snacks at a dep or swearing at winter like a real Montrealer, listed here are just a few French Canadian phrases that’ll enable you to survive in La Belle Province.
Dépanneur (Dep)
Neglect calling it a “nook retailer”—in Quebec, it’s a dépanneur (or simply “dep”). That is the place you go for beer, chips, smokes, or last-minute survival necessities when all the pieces else is closed. And sure, you should purchase booze on the dep. Quebec wins.
Frette
When you go to Montreal in winter, this phrase will grow to be your finest buddy—and worst enemy. Frette = Freezing chilly.
?? “Tabarnak, c’est frette dehors!” (Translation: “Holy *%$# it’s freezing exterior!”)
Additionally used to explain beer:
? “Seize me a frette one from the fridge.” (Translation: “Chilly beer, please.”)
Câlisse
Ah sure, Quebec’s favourite swear phrase—so versatile it may be used as a noun, verb, or exclamation. Initially a spiritual time period (referring to the chalice in Catholic Mass), it has since advanced right into a go-to curse phrase.
? “Câlisse de neige!” (Translation: “Holy *%$# that’s loads of snow!”)
Char
Neglect “voiture”—in Quebec, a automotive is a char (pronounced “shar”). “Mon char est pogné dans la neige!” (Translation: “My automotive is caught within the snow!”) Simply one other reminder that winter in Canada is a battle.
Patente
The final catch-all phrase for “thingamajig” or “whatchamacallit.” “Passe-moi la patente à côté du truc.” (Translation: “Cross me that factor subsequent to the opposite factor.”) Truthfully, when you ever overlook the identify of one thing, simply name it a patente—you’ll match proper in.
Extra Canadian Phrases and Phrases
Mountie
A Mountie is a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Canada’s federal police power from coast to coast to coast.
Pencil Crayon
What we name coloured pencils.
Keener
Somebody who’s overly keen or enthusiastic, typically the instructor’s pet. “That keener completed the project every week early.”
Parkade
A multi-level parking storage, principally 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 celebration?” “For certain!”
Gong Present
A chaotic or wild occasion. “That celebration became an actual gong present.”
Distinctive Canadian Slang
Fill Yer Boots
An invite to take as a lot as you need. “We’ve acquired loads of meals, so fill yer boots!”
What You Sayin’?
An informal greeting which means “What are you as much as?” “Hey
Jesus Murphy
Yep, I’m responsible of utilizing this one so much and apparently it’s a distinctive Canadian time period.
To Be On Pogey
Being on welfare or unemployment advantages. “He’s been on pogey for the reason that mill closed.”
Chirping
Good-natured teasing or taunting, particularly in sports activities. “The gamers have been chirping one another all sport.”
Eavestrough
What others may name a gutter. “Clear the leaves out of the eavestrough earlier than winter.”
Fuel Bar
A fuel station, typically with a comfort retailer. “Let’s cease on the fuel bar for snacks.”
Snowbirds
Canadians who migrate south for the winter. “My grandparents are snowbirds; they spend winters in Florida.”
Runners
Canadians don’t put on sneakers—we put on run
Clicks
Canadian converse for kilometers. Instance: Toronto is about 500 clicks from Montreal.”
Muskoka Chair
The final Canadian chill spot—discovered on each dock, cottage deck, and lakeside retreat. Whereas People name it an Adirondack chair, everyone knows the Muskoka chair reigns supreme. Seize a beer, sit back, and benefit from the view, eh?
So, there you’ve it, many issues Canadians say which can be a bit bit out of the peculiar up right here within the Nice White North. So, whenever you go to Canada, ensure to take pleasure in our beaver tails, use the metric system and when you find yourself heading out to the East Coast ensure to endearingly name a Newfoundlander a Newfie. Obtained it?
Did we miss any traditional Canadian slang? Tell us within the feedback! And when you’re planning a visit to Canada, try our Final Canadian Journey Information for tips about the place to go, what to eat, and learn how to mix in with the locals!
