Need to communicate like an actual Canadian, eh? From Tim Hortons runs to two-fours on the cottage, Canadian slang is as numerous as our nation itself. Whereas we could sound just 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?
Find out how to Communicate Canadian – The Final Information to Canadian Slang
Most individuals suppose Canadians communicate so much like our American neighbours, however the fact is, we’re slightly bizarre up right here within the Nice 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 among my favourites. This time period refers to Canadians. Now we have the Vancouver Canucks, one among 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. In the event 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 widespread Canadian saying and everybody mocks us through the use of “eh” in essentially the most ridiculous phrases and so they by no means get it proper. So I’m going to offer you a fast lesson on methods to the phrase “eh”.
All it’s important to do is make an announcement like “It’s a very good time out at present.” In the event you add “eh” to the top of that assertion, you’ll be able to flip it right into a query that can require a pleasant reply from the particular person you might be speaking to.
Tuque
A knit winter hat, recognized elsewhere all over the world as a beanie. Each Canadian owns at the very least one. I went my whole 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 novel Canadian slang phrase used throughout the nation to explain a winter hat. Purchase your personal 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 Women.
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: High Should-Strive Canadian Meals for Foodies and Vacationers
Freezie
A frozen flavored ice deal with. “I beloved consuming freezies throughout summer season 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.
Traditional 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, that means an fool or loser. Instance:
“Take off, ya hoser!”
Two-4
A case of 24 beers. “Decide up a two-four for the get together.” 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. A lot 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 Way of life & Tradition Slang
Might 2 – 4 Weekend
Victoria Day weekend, typically celebrated by ingesting 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. In the event you actually need to delve into the reasoning for the distinction. Take a look at Grammar Woman. 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 High. 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 college college students.
Stag and Stagette or Stag and Doe
Our model of bachelor and bachelorette events. A pre-wedding get together to lift funds for the couple. “They’re internet hosting a stag and doe subsequent month.”
Bachelor Condo
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 discovered a comfy 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. Need to sound native? Say “Newfanland”, not “New-found-land.” In the event you actually need to speak like a Newfoundlander strive these speaking to 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 by Drake. Toronto has a number of nicknames which might 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 maintain an ear out for these enjoyable slang phrases like Stampede Stash – The mustache you develop for the Calgary Stampede. Yeehaw Juice – Whisky, usually 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 method 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 wherever 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 method.
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 night time.”
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, individuals 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 troublesome man or enforcer, particularly in hockey. “The group’s goon acquired right into a combat.”
Hold a Larry / Hold a Roger
Want instructions? “Hold a Larry” means flip left; “Hold a Roger” means flip proper. Why Larry and Roger? Your guess is pretty much 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, at all times hanging across the rink.”
Quebec Slang – Tabarnak! Be taught the Lingo
Assume you understand 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 below are a number of French Canadian phrases that’ll show you how 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 buy booze on the dep. Quebec wins.
Frette
In the event you go to Montreal in winter, this phrase will develop into your greatest good friend—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 lots 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: “Go me that factor subsequent to the opposite factor.”) Truthfully, should you ever neglect 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 trainer’s pet. “That keener completed the project per week early.”
Parkade
A multi-level parking storage, largely 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 get together?” “For certain!”
Gong Present
A chaotic or wild occasion. “That get together 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 that 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 because the mill closed.”
Chirping
Good-natured teasing or taunting, particularly in sports activities. “The gamers have been chirping one another all sport.”
Eavestrough
What others would possibly name a gutter. “Clear the leaves out of the eavestrough earlier than winter.”
Gasoline 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 communicate 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 might be slightly bit out of the extraordinary up right here within the Nice White North. So, whenever you go to Canada, ensure that to take pleasure in our beaver tails, use the metric system and when you’re heading out to the East Coast ensure that to endearingly name a Newfoundlander a Newfie. Acquired it?
Did we miss any basic Canadian slang? Tell us within the feedback! And should you’re planning a visit to Canada, try our Final Canadian Journey Information for recommendations on the place to go, what to eat, and methods to mix in with the locals!