MARGE: Good call, Gary! Betsy didn’t bring her toque last week and her ears nearly fell off!Įvery nation has their national coffee chain. Fortunately, today’s Toques are typically unisex, and are manufactured to cover the ears for those cold Canadian winters. The word “toque” comes from the Spanish “toca”, which means “women’s headdress”. Short story long: Toques are a type of hat with a narrow brim that were popularized in 16th century Europe. Long story short: it’s a hat worn in the winter time. That batch of maple syrup is something else, eh? It doesn’t always require an answer though “eh?” is often rhetorical in nature. It’s included at the end of sentences, and can be interpreted as “am I right?”. Since then, “eh” has come to serve as a confirmation of sorts. In what is likely the most iconic Canadian phrase, “eh” has been a staple phrase of North American settlers since before Canada was even conceived. So when someone says “Can I have two loonies for a toonie?” you won’t stare at them like they’ve lost their marbles. In this guide, we’ll list the most common Canadian slang and phrases, alongside some contextual examples. If you’re going to thrive in the Great White North, you have to learn to talk like a Canadian, too. Because it isn’t enough to simply live like a Canadian. īut now, it’s time to take your cultural immersion to the next level. You’ve taken notes on what to wear when the weather gets all cold and weathery. You’ve read up on how to buy a home in Canada. Keener: S omeone who tries too hard to please others or someone too enthusiastic.So you’ve decided to move to Canada in what will ultimately be the best decision of your life (we’re biased, what can we say).Īnd we all know you’ve done your research. Snowbirds: As you know, Canada is a cold country so the snowbirds refer to those who head south during winter to escape it.Ĭlick: A kilometre. Kerfuffle: Also used in the UK, this means a fuss caused by a disagreement. Parkade: Canadian slang that means a multi-level building where vehicles part in. Runners: This means sneakers or tennis shoes. If you ever eat there, make sure you order “Timbits” which are known as doughnut holes. It refers to the popular fast-food chain, Tim Horton’s. Timmies: If you live in Canada, this is a word you’ll hear a lot. Mickey: If you have a mickey, it means you have a flask-sized bottle of rum or whiskey (usually Canadian rye whiskey). Washroom: What the rest of the world may call a loo, toilet or restroom, Canadians call it “washroom.” Cheese curds and French fries are blanketed with cozy, unctuous brown gravy. Poutine: More a type of food rather than slang but it’s as Canadian as it gets. Toque: A winter hat that’s basically a beanie or ski hat but this Canadian slang originates from the French word “cap.” A classic Canadian term that’s used in daily conversations to end a question, say hello from a distance, show surprise, or get someone to answer. To get started, check out our list of must-know totally helpful Canadian slang words and phrases below: Canadian slang 101: 10 words you need to knowĮh?: W e all know this one. They then tell you “just hang a Larry then hang a Roger!” How would you answer?Ĭanadian slang can baffle the uninitiated - once you know the lingo, however, everything makes sense. So, after that enlightening trip to the supermarket (and a deep dive into the different kinds of milk processes), you step onto Yonge Street and ask someone for directions. You would think this was a mere one-off, and that Canadians speak the same English as everyone else in the world. Imagine you’re in a supermarket in Toronto, you ask for directions to “skimmed milk” and the shop attendant says “you mean ‘homo milk?'” This, my friend, is no homophobic slur, merely a reference to homogenised milk, which has had the fat globules in them broken down from forming that creamy layer on top.
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