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 might sound much like our American neighbors, belief us—we’ve acquired our personal bizarre, great, and wildly complicated phrases.
Whether you’re ordering a double-double, dodging a rink rat, or kicking again in a Muskoka chair, we’ve acquired 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 folks assume Canadians converse so much like our American neighbours, however the fact is, we’re somewhat bizarre up right here within the Great White North. Plus, Canadians can pick 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 certainly one of my favourites. This time period refers to Canadians. We have the Vancouver Canucks, certainly one of Canada’s most beloved hockey groups, and within the Eighties, our downhill skiers who dominated the World Cup circuit had 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 most common Canadian saying and everybody mocks us by utilizing “eh” in probably the most ridiculous phrases they usually by no means get it proper. So I’m going to provide you a fast lesson on the right way to the phrase “eh”.
All you must do is make an announcement like “It is a very nice day out today.” If you add “eh” to the tip of that assertion, you’ll be able to 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, recognized 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” (because of 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 at all times 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
Bloody Caesar
Canada’s model of a Bloody Mary, made with Clamato juice (clam and tomato juice).
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.
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 tune by the Barenaked Ladies.
Poutine
Canada’s nationwide dish—fries, cheese curds, and gravy. “Let’s grab some poutine after the bar.” Best loved at 3 AM. Read extra about Canadian meals such because the Beaver Tail and Nanaimo Bar at our submit: Top Must-Try Canadian Foods for Foodies and Travelers
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.
Homo Milk
Canadians’ time period for entire milk. Homogenized Milk.
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, which 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 solely 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.
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.
Canadian Lifestyle & Culture Slang
May 2 – 4 Weekend
Victoria Day weekend, typically 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 an alternative of “Zee” for the letter Z—besides when referring to ZZ Top. I used to drive a Zed 28 automobile. 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 lift 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 condominium or a small condominium with no separate bed room a bachelor condominium with an open residing and sleeping house. “I found a cozy bachelor downtown.”
Chinook
A heat winter wind that may soften Alberta’s snow in hours. Living 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 Words for Cities and Regions
Newfie
Newfie – A proud nickname for somebody from Newfoundland. Want to sound native? Say “Newfanland”, not “New-found-land.” If you actually wish to speak like a Newfoundlander attempt 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 Town and the Big Smoke. Check out extra enjoyable Canadian nicknames for our cities and cities.
Cowtown
A nickname for Calgary, because of 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, 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 attempt ordering ranch water.
The Peg
A nickname for Winnipeg (previously “Winterpeg”). Did you understand that Winnipeg is Slurpee Capital? It consumes extra Slurpees per capita than anyplace else which is odd since it’s colder than most cities.
Funny Canadian Sayings
Buddy / Bud
In the Maritimes, “buddy” is a common stand-in for an individual’s title. Didn’t catch somebody’s title? Just name ’em “buddy.” It’s the Canadian means.
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.
Kerfuffle
A commotion or fuss. “There was a real kerfuffle at the rink last night.”
Bunny Hug
Saskatchewan’s distinctive time period for a hoodie (sure, actually). “It’s chilly; grab your bunny hug.”
Beauty
When one thing’s top-notch, we name it a “beauty.” Scored tickets to a Leafs recreation? “Beauty, eh!”
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, folks had been at all times 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 troublesome 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, sometimes feminine, who’s extra within the gamers than the sport. “She’s such a puck bunny, always hanging around the rink.”
Quebec Slang – Tabarnak! Learn the Lingo
Think you understand French? Well, Quebecois slang is a entire different beast. It’s half French, half English, and 100% uniquely Canadian. Whether you’re grabbing snacks at a dep or swearing at winter like a real Montrealer, listed below are just a few French Canadian phrases that’ll provide help to survive in La Belle Province.
Dépanneur (Dep)
Forget calling it a “corner store”—in Quebec, it’s a dépanneur (or simply “dep”). This is the place you go for beer, chips, smokes, or last-minute survival necessities when every thing else is closed. And sure, you should purchase booze on the dep. Quebec wins.
Frette
If you go to Montreal in winter, this phrase will develop into your greatest pal—and worst enemy. Frette = Freezing chilly.
?? “Tabarnak, c’est frette dehors!” (Translation: “Holy *%$# it’s freezing outside!”)
Also used to explain beer:
? “Grab me a frette one from the fridge.” (Translation: “Cold beer, please.”)
Câlisse
Ah sure, Quebec’s favourite swear phrase—so versatile it may be used as a noun, verb, or exclamation. Originally a non secular time period (referring to the chalice in Catholic Mass), it has since developed right into a go-to curse phrase.
? “Câlisse de neige!” (Translation: “Holy *%$# that’s a lot of snow!”)
Char
Forget “voiture”—in Quebec, a automobile is a char (pronounced “shar”). “Mon char est pogné dans la neige!” (Translation: “My car is stuck in the snow!”) Just 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: “Pass me that thing next to the other thing.”) Honestly, if you happen to ever neglect the title of one thing, simply name it a patente—you’ll match proper in.
More Canadian Words 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
Someone who’s overly keen or enthusiastic, typically the trainer’s pet. “That keener finished the assignment a week early.”
Parkade
A multi-level parking storage, principally utilized in Western Canada.
Serviette
A serviette, however fancier.
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!”
Gong Show
A chaotic or wild occasion. “That party turned into a real gong show.”
Unique Canadian Slang
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 informal greeting which means “What are you up to?” “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 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 fuel station, typically 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.”
Runners
Canadians don’t put on sneakers—we put on run
Clicks
Canadian converse for kilometers. Example: Toronto is about 500 clicks from Montreal.”
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 have got it, many issues Canadians say which can be somewhat bit out of the peculiar up right here within the Great White North. So, once you go to Canada, make sure that to take pleasure in our beaver tails, use the metric system and when you find yourself heading out to the East Coast make sure that to endearingly name a Newfoundlander a Newfie. Got it?
Did we miss any basic Canadian slang? Let us know within the feedback! And if you happen to’re planning a visit to Canada, take a look at our Ultimate Canadian Travel Guide for tips about the place to go, what to eat, and the right way to mix in with the locals!