Speaking Canadian

By

 If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head while chatting with a Canadian, you’re not alone. Our language is full of quirky words and phrases that may seem a little out of the ordinary to those outside of the Great White North. Whether it’s "eh?" or "toque," there are plenty of Canadianisms that might leave you wondering what on earth we’re talking about. I'm here to break it all down for you. So grab a double-double and let’s dive into some of the most charming (and sometimes confusing) expressions that make us Canadians unique!

Eh! - yes, we Canadians use Eh a lot.  I'm very guilty of this.  Its used to turn a statement into a question like one would use isn't it (Nice Day, eh?) or to state and opinion (Nice movie, eh?)

Loonie - the Canadian one dollar coin (it actually has a Loon on it)

 Toonie - the Canadian two dollar coin 

Touque - a wool hat known elsewhere as a beanie

Two four - a case of 24 cans or bottles of beer

Mickey - a 13 oz bottle of liquor

Caesar - a popular cocktail similar to a Bloody Mary, but with Clamato juice (a blend of tomato juice and clam broth) instead of just tomato juice.

Pencil crayons - coloured pencils

Knapsack - backpack

Kitty corner - a popular cocktail similar to a Bloody Mary, but with Clamato juice (a blend of tomato juice and clam broth) instead of just tomato juice.

Housecoat - bathrobe

Canadian tuxedo - a popular cocktail similar to a Bloody Mary, but with Clamato juice (a blend of tomato juice and clam broth) instead of just tomato juice.

Runners and joggers - sneakers or running shoes

Homo milk - whole milk

Toboggan - sled

Muskoka chair - Adirondack chair

Double double - a coffee with two creams and two sugars

Mountie - Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Dart - cigarette

Deke - a feigned shot or movement in hockey intended to draw a defending player out of position

Chesterfield - couch

Eavestrough - rain gutter

Whipper snipper - string trimmer, grass trimmer, weed wacker

Washroom - restroom or bathroon

Back bacon - Canadian bacon

Clicks - kilometers

Pogey - financial assistance provided by the government, particularly unemployment insurance or social assistance

Hydro - electricity

Serviette - napkin

KD - kraft dinner macaroni and cheese

Timmies - Tim Hortons coffee and donuts

Timbits - donut holes

Tap - faucet

Duotang - a type of folder used to hold a report or loose papers. It features three metal fasteners that secure the pages

Tea towel - dish towel used for drying dishes

Queue - line up

Garburator - garbage disposal

Bachelor apartment - studio apartment

Fire hall - fire station

Robertson screwdriver - square-headed screwdriver

Keener - someone who is overly eager

Give’r - try your hardest or go full-force

Freezies - Freeze pops - frozen liquid inside a long plastic tube

Rubber - eraser

Thongs - flip flops

hang a Larry - turn left

hang a Roger - turn right

Molson muscle - beer belly

Hoser - a Canadian redneck

pop - soda

sliver - splinter

parkade - parking garage

gotchies (or gitch) - underwear

pitter patter - lets go

ski-do - snowmobiles

Yeah no - no

No yeah- yeah

Yeah no, for sure - yeah

No yeah no - no

yeah no yeah - yeah

stagette - bachelorette party


And last but not least is Sorry.  Yes, it's true.  Canadians say sorry - a lot! Even if we aren't at fault.

Comments

  1. TamaraJuly 9, 2025 at 9:28 AM

    Love your list! Learned a few new ones, too. Didn't know about Larry and Roger, for example.
    I once made a similar comparison, also including Australian and South African English. Do you know what a "robot" is in South Africa?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BarbaraJuly 19, 2025 at 9:22 AM

      No. I didn't know until I googled it. LOL!

      Delete
  2. Kimberly WJuly 9, 2025 at 9:47 AM

    Having watched a few seasons of LetterKenny, I have learned a lot of Canadian words but this list of full of others I hadn't heard! I also finally know exactly what they mean when they say "Pitter Patter, let's get at'er" which, from context I knew what they meant but it's nice to have the meaning spelled out there :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BarbaraJuly 19, 2025 at 9:24 AM

      many of these aren't used on a regular basis. LetterKenny has many that I've never heard before. However, I use pitter patter let's get at'er all the time.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJuly 9, 2025 at 12:05 PM

    Thank you for taking the time to share Candia's Language with us which I can't wait to share with my son who is always open to learning about new Countries.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BarbaraJuly 19, 2025 at 9:25 AM

      I love learning how different countries call different things.

      Delete
  4. JodiJuly 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM

    These are the Canadian words I either use or know. Being in Michigan, it's just normal. But then I also watched Red Green, The Friendly Giant, Mr Dressup, Polka Dot Door, Don Cherry on Hockey Night in Canada, Kids in the Hall. I'm sure there are more that we watched that I'm completely forgetting. CBC was a great channel. But here's my list: Eh!, Loonie, Toonie, Knapsack, Housecoat, Homo milk, Toboggan, Double double, Mountie, Washroom, Timmies, Timbits, Tap, Duotang, Tea towel, Queue, Thongs, Hoser, pop, sliver.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJuly 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM

    I say a lot of these things…especially these:
    Yeah no - no

    No yeah- yeah

    Yeah no, for sure - yeah

    No yeah no - no

    yeah no yeah - yeah

    Go figure!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Canada's Indigenous Peoples

By
Image
Photo by Michaela St Canada’s Indigenous peoples are the original stewards of this land, with histories, cultures, and worldviews that stretch back thousands of years. Despite being foundational to the nation’s identity, Indigenous peoples’ stories have often been overlooked or misunderstood. To truly appreciate Canada, it’s essential to understand who Indigenous peoples are, their rich cultures, the struggles they have endured, and their ongoing contributions and resilience. Who Are Canada’s Indigenous Peoples? Photo by Farouk Animashaun Canada recognizes three distinct Indigenous groups: First Nations: Comprising over 600 distinct communities and nations, First Nations peoples have diverse languages, traditions, and governance systems. Examples include the Haida in British Columbia, the Anishinaabe in Ontario, and the Mi’kmaq in the Atlantic provinces. Métis: The Métis emerged from mixed Indigenous and European ancestry, primarily French and Scottish fur traders intermarryi...
Read more

Quebec City - a Little Taste of Europe in North America

By
Image
Sitting along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, Québec City feels like you've landed somewhere in Europe - cobbled streets, centuries-old stone buildings, and charming alleyways. As the only North American fortified city north of Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Québec City offers a unique blend of Old World charm and Canadian spirit. A Walk Through History Photo by Tejash Shah on Unsplash Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Québec City is one of the oldest European settlements in North America. The heart of the city is Old Québec , divided into Upper Town (Haute-Ville) and Lower Town (Basse-Ville). Walking through these districts feels like time travel - every corner unveils heritage architecture, wrought-iron balconies, and glimpses of French colonial life. Photo by Benoit Debaix on Unsplash Towering above it all is the iconic Château Frontenac , a grand hotel that looks more like a castle from a fairytale. Even if you’re not staying there, a visit is a must. Wand...
Read more

How Canada Became So Multicultural

By
Image
  Walk through any Canadian city today - whether it’s Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, or Winnipeg - and you’ll hear multiple languages, smell foods from around the world, and see people of all backgrounds sharing space. Canada is often hailed as one of the most multicultural countries on Earth. But how did we get here? Canada’s multiculturalism didn’t happen overnight. It is the result of centuries of migration, evolving immigration laws, shifting societal values, and a deliberate commitment to building an inclusive national identity. Here’s how Canada became a country where diversity isn’t just tolerated - it’s celebrated. A Country of Immigrants from the Beginning Before we talk about multiculturalism, it’s important to recognize that Canada is Indigenous land first and foremost . Long before European settlers arrived, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples lived, traded, and governed on this land. When European colonization began in the 16th century, primarily with the Frenc...
Read more

Where are we now?

Currently we're home, in Ontario, Canada

Where’s are we going next?

TBD - we are working on that.

Where We've Been