I surveyed 175 people, quizzing them on their knowledge of 82 “Canadianisms.” The results are in, including 42 words with which you are probably unfamiliar, unless you are Canadian.
All of the words included on this survey were the result of at least one American being baffled over my Canadian English. Many times, I have felt as if we were two people separated by a common language. These words have been used during my many trips to the United States. (I have traveled to Washington, California, Idaho, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Maryland, DC, and Virginia.) They’ve also been the source of confusion when speaking with my American partner or talking with my American pals, who are spread throughout the country.
Because of how many words and pages it takes for a complete breakdown of the results, I’ve decided to only include words where at least 50 percent of Americans said they were unfamiliar with the word, plus a couple of other bonuses. At the end of the post is a link to all of the results, which include the 42 unfamiliar words, 10 questionable results, and three honourable mentions, plus 16 “familiar but not used,” and 11 “familiar and used” words.
The geographical breakdown includes: 104 Americans, 52 Canadians, and 19 people from the following Commonwealth countries: New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, England, and Wales.
The method of this completely non-scientific, yet still extremely fascinating survey was pretty simply: I presented respondents with a word, a short definition, and four answers from which to choose.
When giving a definition, intentionally, I gave minimal information. My thinking was, either the people responding to the survey knew the words without giving a context and definition, or they didn’t. In retrospect, I should have been more concise with a couple of the words, as many of the American respondents seemed confused by their meaning or my intention. This was even more prevalent when I gave an example of how the word is seldom used in Canada, which caused the respondent to give conflicting responses in the “other” field. These words are included in this post, even if over 50 percent of Americans said they were familiar with the word, but didn’t use it.
After reading the word and the short definition, respondents were presented with the following choices:
- I am unfamiliar with this term;
- I am familiar with this term, but I never used it or have I heard it used in my area;
- I am familiar with this word and I use it regularly, or it is used in my area;
- Plus, “other” to elaborate and enter the word most commonly used by that person.
I’ve also included three honourable mentions: words that could have very easily fallen within the “unfamiliar” category.
Contained within these results are a number of terms that are sociolects: words we tend to use only when among certain social groups, and our geographic location does not determine the extent to which Canadians have knowledge of the word, or use it. With the exception of a couple of regional words, most Canadians were familiar with all of the words, even if they didn’t use them. Regional dialects are very rare in Canada, but we do have many sociolects. Because of Canada’s emphasis on being multi-cultural, we tend to be very familiar with each other’s word choices, which sometimes can give the appearance that we are a “melting pot,” when we are not.
It is also interesting to note that in cases where the word was not clearly “Canadian,” it was the result of people in and around the greater Toronto area not making use of the word. It almost adds to the joke that there is Canada, and then there is Toronto, Ontario. Canada versus Toronto is the source of many jokes and stereotypes; some of which are not always nice, even if they may have a lot of truth in them. And, in a couple of cases, Albertans were the exception to the rule, which also plays into some Canadian-grown stereotypes.
Without further ado, the results!
Unfamiliar
1. Tuque: A knitted cap/hat, referred to as a beanie in the United States. A beanie is a completely different type of hat in Canada. 100 percent Canadian.
In the United States, the most common alternatives were: beanie, knitted cap, ski hat, and stocking cap. In the Commonwealth countries, the most common alternative was “beanie.”
It may be interesting to note that very recently, the CBC did an article about the spelling of “tuque,” while calling all of us “hosers.” Tuque is the proper spelling, though many Anglophones spell it either “toque” or “touque.” Growing up in French immersion, it was always “tuque,” with “toque” meaning something else. You can read what the CBC has to say about this very topic, including a reference to their style guide.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 53% | 84% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 35% | 0% | 0% |
| Familiar and used | 12% | 16% | 100% |
2. Runners: Referred to as sneakers or tennis shoes in the United States. 85 percent Canadian.
In the United States, the most common alternatives were: sneakers, tennis shoes, Nikies, running shoes, walking shoes, and walkers. Across the Commonwealth countries, the most common alternative was “trainers.”
One American noted the following, “Runners are a piece of table linen, which runs the length of the table under the centerpiece and dangles over the edge.”
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 60% | 37% | 4% |
| Familiar but not used | 32% | 58% | 11% |
| Familiar and used | 7% | 5% (1 person) | 85% |
3. Parkade: A multi-level parking structure. 71 percent Canadian.
In the United States, the most common alternatives were: parking garage and parking deck. Across the Commonwealth countries they were: car park and parking garage.
Out of the Americans who knew and used the term “parkade,” one left the following comment: “City-owned parking in Eugene is usually named ‘Location Parkade.'”
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 85% | 100% | 4% |
| Familiar but not used | 11% | 0% | 25% |
| Familiar and used | 4% | 0% | 71% |
4. ABM: Automatic Banking Machine. 38 percent Canadian or maybe it’s becoming a sociolect.
The thing I found most interesting about these responses comes from the Canadians. Despite automatic banking machines being labelled “ABM” and the terms “automatic banking machine” and “ABM” being used in most bank service agreements, Canadians are starting to move towards the American “ATM.” Personally, I still use ABM, or just “bank machine.”
Perhaps the term “ABM” is starting to turn into a sociolect, as the 38 percent of Canadians who still primarily use “ABM” are from across all regions of Canada.
In the Commonwealth countries, the most common alternatives were: hole-in-the-wall, cash machine, cashpoint, and ATM. In the United States, the alternative is “ATM.”
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 95% | 100% | 8% |
| Familiar but not used | 5% | 0% | 54% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 0% | 38% |
5. Eavestroughs: A trough that runs along the eaves and catches rain/leaves. 90 percent Canadian.
The most common alternative given by both Americans and people living in Commonwealth countries was “gutters.” I found the percentage to which Commonwealth respondents were unfamiliar with the word to be very surprising.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 80% | 89% | 2% (1 person) |
| Familiar but not used | 7% | 0% | 8% |
| Familiar and used | 13% | 11% | 90% |
6. Garburator: A mechanical device that “eats” garbage in your kitchen sink’s drain. 62 percent Canadian.
Disposal is a propriety name for a garbage disposal in the United States. Garburator is the propriety name in Canada. I’m not sure what the difference is, but they must be different enough to have different propriety names. And that is about all the insight I can give you on “Garburator.”
The most common alternative given by everyone, regardless of location, was “garbage disposal.” Many Americans commented that “Disposal” is a brand name.
Most of the Canadians who were unfamiliar with the word, or don’t use it despite being familiar with it, were from Ontario.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 91% | 100% | 12% |
| Familiar but not used | 7% | 0% | 30% |
| Familiar and used | 2% | 0% | 62% |
7. Wicket: You stand at a wicket when speaking to agents in government offices, bank tellers, etc. Sociolect, with most who don’t use it despite being familiar with it, living in Ontario.
The most common American alternative was “window” or “counter.” There were a couple of people who said they were totally lost. A couple of Americans noted that a “wicket” was for cricket, with most Commonwealth respondents making the same comment.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 91% | 84% | 15% |
| Familiar but not used | 9% | 11% | 62% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 5% | 23% |
8. Homo Milk: Milk with 3.25% milk fat. This is not to be confused with Canadian “whole milk,” which is milk that separates when left sitting. 92 percent Canadian.
A couple of Americans commented that they were offended by this term because in the U.S., it is a derogatory reference to a homosexual person. In Canada, it is difficult for that word to be a slur when it is plastered all over stores and on milk containers in reference to a specific type of milk. Canada has different derogatory terms. Calling someone a “homo” is laughable to most of us because that would be calling someone “milk.”
Swears and derogatory words differ a lot between cultures. It is one reason why I can include words like “bugger,” “bloody,” or “merde” when writing for a U.S.-based website. Most readers wouldn’t know why it would be, at the very least, quite rude and offensive for other readers.
The common American alternative given was “homogenized milk,” which is a little odd, as all of Canada’s milk is homogenized. Other forms of homogenized milk include: skim milk, 1%, 2%, buttermilk, plus various types of cream. One person in N.E. Ohio commented that they have never seen 3.25% milk.
Out of the four Canadians who said that they don’t use the term, I’m very curious to know what they use, instead. They didn’t give an alternative.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 81% | 79% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 16% | 16% | 8% |
| Familiar and used | 3% | 5% | 92% |
9. Pencil Crayon: Pencils used for colouring. 96 percent Canadian.
I’m really not sure why we call them “pencil crayons.” Maybe it is a result of us mashing the English “coloured pencils” with the French “crayon de couleur,” and the middle of packaging reading “pencil crayon” as a result. Even our school supply lists read “pencil crayons.”
The American alternative is “colored pencil.” The Commonwealth alternative is “colouring pencil.”
The two Canadians who said they were familiar with the term, but don’t use it, were from Nova Scotia. The rest of the respondents from Nova Scotia all use the term.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 85% | 47% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 9% | 16% | 4% |
| Familiar and used | 6% | 37% | 96% |
10. Bachelor Apartment: A flat that has no bedroom. 92 percent Canadian.
The most common American equivalents given were “studio apartment” and “efficiency.”
The most common Commonwealth equivalents were: bedsit, studio flat, and bachelor pad.
Until this survey, I had never heard the word “efficiency,” and I was unsure as to the meaning of “studio apartment” whenever I would hear it.
Among the Canadians who do not use the words, three are from Alberta, with one from Saskatchewan.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 71% | 63% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 20% | 26% | 8% |
| Familiar and used | 9% | 11% | 92% |
11. Gasbar: A filing station. Sociolect with 44 percent of Canadians using it regularly.
The most common American word is “gas station.”
The most common words used in the Commonwealth countries are “petrol station” and “garage.”
The difference between the Canadians who know the word but don’t use it regularly and those who do use it regularly was two people. The alternative word given was “gas station.” Seventy-five percent of the respondents who were not familiar with “gasbar” were from Toronto.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 98% | 100% | 8% |
| Familiar but not used | 2% | 0% | 48% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 0% | 44% |
12. Donair: A pita containing spiced meat and a sauce made from sugar, vinegar, milk, and garlic. 71 percent Canadian.
Part of me thinks I should correct the above to, “100 percent Canadian,” as a donair is a Canadian-invented food item. It’s also as Canadian as poutine, Nanaimo bars, butter tarts, and split-pea soup. All of the Canadians who said they were unfamiliar with this term were from Ontario, with six out of nine being from Toronto. If you live in Toronto and have no idea what a donair is, I’m not sure there is an excuse, as Toronto is a food haven!
The closest thing America has to a donair is the gyro. In the Commonwealth countries, it is similar to what they call a kebab, but different from what Canadians refer to as a kabob. Unlike a “doner,” it doesn’t contain lamb and the sauce is quite different.
For the four Americans who say they use the word or find it common in their area, especially the one from Seattle, I’d like to know where? I’ve travelled to Seattle many times and have yet to find a donair. Poutine is finally making its way into the U.S. Hopefully, the donair will be soon to follow.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 86% | 84% | 17% |
| Familiar but not used | 10% | 16% | 12% |
| Familiar and used | 4% | 0% | 71% |
13. Icing Sugar: A type of finely granulated sugar used in making icings and glazes. 96 percent Canadian.
The first time I was made aware that Americans do not have “icing sugar” per se, I was very surprised. It was awhile before I would learn the alternative, which is either “powdered sugar” or “confectioner’s sugar.”
There is one Canadian who is unfamiliar with this term. I can only surmise that they don’t do any baking.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 56% | 0% | 2% |
| Familiar but not used | 32% | 0% | 2% |
| Familiar and used | 12% | 100% | 96% |
14. Whitener: A powder or liquid used to whiten tea or coffee, not made from dairy. 81 percent Canadian.
The most common American alternatives are “creamer” and “non-dairy creamer.” In the Commonwealth countries, the most common alternative is “non-dairy whitener.”
Two Canadians were unfamiliar with the term: one from Nova Scotia and one from Ontario. Out of the eight people who are familiar with the term but don’t use it, 50 percent were from Ontario, while 25 percent were from Alberta, and 25 percent from British Columbia.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 69% | 26% | 4% |
| Familiar but not used | 23% | 16% | 15% |
| Familiar and used | 8% | 58% | 81% |
15. Fire Hall: Where firefighters work. 92 percent Canadian.
“Firehouse” and “fire station” were the alternatives used by Americans, with “fire station” used among those who responded from the Commonwealth countries.
The one Canadian who said they were unfamiliar with the term is from Toronto. Among the three people who responded “familiar but not used,” two were from Toronto, with one from Hamilton, Ontario.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 72% | 89% | 2% |
| Familiar but not used | 19% | 0% | 6% |
| Familiar and used | 9% | 11% | 92% |
16. Robertson Screws/Screwdriver: A type of screw with a square hole. 92 percent Canadian.
This is another word that, despite results, is 100 percent Canadian. The Robertson screw/screwdriver is named after its Canadian inventor. The reason why it isn’t popular in the United States is because of a dispute involving Henry Ford.
In the U.S., those who are familiar with this type of screwdriver call it a “square head.”
The following comment was left by one of the Commonwealth respondents, “Note – only familiar through professional use, very uncommon fixing in UK, generally in applications that require tamper-resistant fixing as tools are uncommon.”
Among the Canadians who are unfamiliar or don’t use the word, I can only assume they aren’t familiar with tools, in general.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 86% | 79% | 2% |
| Familiar but not used | 9% | 5% | 6% |
| Familiar and used | 5% | 16% | 92% |
17. Keener: A brown-noser. 77 percent Canadian.
Brown-noser, suck-up, and kiss-ass were the most common alternatives given.
Out of the 11.5 percent of Canadians unfamiliar with the term, 66 percent were from Ontario. Out of the 11.5 percent of Canadians who were familiar but didn’t use the term, 50 percent were from Ontario.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 95% | 90% | 11.5% |
| Familiar but not used | 5% | 5% | 11.5% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 5% | 77% |
18. Jiffy Marker: A generic term for permanent markers, similar to how people use “Q-tip” for all cotton swabs or “Kleenex” for all paper tissue. Regional with 31 percent of Canadians who regularly use the term.
This was one of the few responses that were answered in the way I had expected. I expected many more words to be regional dialects and not be the result of sociolects, as was demonstrated. A Jiffy marker is a brand name for an amazing type of marker created by a Vancouver-based company. When I was in school, all permanent markers in the classroom were Jiffy markers.
When it comes to breakdown, it worked out as British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan versus Manitoba through the Maritimes.
The most common alternatives in the United States are “Sharpie” and “magic marker.” In the Commonwealth countries, “felt-tip pen.” Among the Canadians who are not familiar with the awesome that is the Jiffy marker, “Sharpie” was the most common alternative.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 96% | 89% | 50% |
| Familiar but not used | 3% | 11% | 19% |
| Familiar and used | 1% | 0% | 31% |
19. Hooped: Similar to FUBAR, if something is hooped, it is screwed up so badly that it probably can’t be fixed. 54 percent Canadian.
Hooped is one of my favourite words. I’ll also never forget the “what the what?!” face that greeted me the first time I used it when saying something to my partner.
The most common American alternatives given were: hopeless, royally screwed, and FUBAR.
FUBAR was the most common alternative given by those who live in the Commonwealth countries.
Canadians gave “borked” as their favourite alternative.
Among the 36 percent of Canadians who were unfamiliar with this term, 74 percent of them were from Ontario. Among the 10 percent who said they were familiar but didn’t use the word, 80 percent were from Ontario.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 90% | 95% | 36% |
| Familiar but not used | 10% | 5% | 10% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 0% | 54% |
20. Mickey: A measurement of alcohol, usually 13 ounces (375 millilitres). 88 percent Canadian.
After reading some of the American responses, a couple of American movies and television shows finally made sense. I once wondered to myself, “Why is slipping someone a mickey a bad thing? People would slip me mickeys all the time when I was in high school.” Then, I learned that “mickey’ is used how Canadians use “roofie.” Light bulb = DING! And a bunch of conversations with Americans also finally made sense.
While many Americans weren’t sure if there is an alternative, some suggested: jigger, pony, and mouse. Both “pony” and “mouse” have me confused. However, after reading the responses, I’m sure “mickey” confuses some Americans.
Canadians travelling to the United States: Do not ask someone to give you or buy you a mickey, or ask where you can get one.
Commonwealth respondents were stumped to come up with an equivalent.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 69% | 89% | 2% |
| Familiar but not used | 27% | 11% | 10% |
| Familiar and used | 4% | 0% | 88% |
21. Two-Four or Flat: A case of 24 cans of beer. 90 percent Canadian.
Some Americans said that the alternative word is “case.” In Canada, a “case” is commonly reserved for 12 beers, while a half-sack is what we call it when you purchase a case of six beers. I nearly included our definition of “case” and “half-sack” in the list, but I already had a lot of alcohol-related terms.
In the UK, beer is purchased in different quantities.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 86% | 95% | 4% |
| Familiar but not used | 10% | 5% | 6% |
| Familiar and used | 4% | 0% | 90% |
22. Twenty-Sixer or Twixer: A bottle of alcohol containing 750 millilitres (just over 25 ounces). 64 percent Canadian.
The most common American alternatives given were “bottle” and “fifth.” I have two questions. The first question: A fifth of what? The second question: When sending someone to the liquor store, how do they know what size to get if you don’t have different names?
“Bottle” was also the alternative given by the Commonwealth respondents. My second question, I also ask of them.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 98% | 100% | 17% |
| Familiar but not used | 2% | 0% | 19% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 0% | 64% |
23. Forty-Pounder: A bottle of alcohol containing 40 ounces (1.14 litres). 60 percent Canadian.
The American alternatives given were “40” and “40-ouncer.” Again, no Commonwealth alternative.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 93% | 100% | 27% |
| Familiar but not used | 6% | 0% | 13% |
| Familiar and used | 1% | 0% | 60% |
24. Sixty-Pounder: A bottle of alcohol containing 66 ounces (1.75 litres). Sociolect, with 39 percent of Canadians using this term.
Many Americans commented, “not sure this quantity even exists.” One American said, “You guys are clearly way more serious about your drinking.” To which I have to say, “Yes, we are <insert joke about our first prime minister being an alcoholic here>.”
Once again, no alternative in the Commonwealth countries.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 97% | 100% | 42% |
| Familiar but not used | 3% | 0% | 19% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 0% | 39% |
25. Texas Mickey: A bottle of alcohol containing 3 litres (101 ounces). Sociolect, with 46 percent of Canadians using this term.
One American commented, “They make those?! Jesus Christ, Seriously?!” Yes, seriously.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 99% | 100% | 33% |
| Familiar but not used | 0% | 0% | 21% |
| Familiar and used | 1% | 0% | 46% |
26. Pablum: A type of infant food. 71 percent Canadian.
Despite the results, this word is 100 percent Canadian. Invented by a Canadian pediatrician, Pablum was the recommended first food for infants, no sooner than six months of age, followed by the introduction of sweet potatoes and squash. In 2012, the Canadian guidelines changed to meat at six months, in addition to Pablum, followed by root vegetables. Fruit is always the last recommended food to introduce to your baby.
The other less-used word for Pablum is “infant cereal.”
The words really stumped everyone who was not Canadian, with suggestions ranging from “Gerber” (which would cause me to assume you mean jarred meat, vegetables, and fruit) and “baby food” (which would lead me to assume the same about jarred food) from Americans, and “rusk” from those in the Commonwealth countries.
It also made me wonder to what extent we feed our babies differently.
As for the Canadians who are unfamiliar with the term, I can only wonder about their family status.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 62% | 100% | 10% |
| Familiar but not used | 27% | 0% | 19% |
| Familiar and used | 11% | 0% | 71% |
27. Chip Truck: A type of food truck that typically serves chips (French fries, hot dogs, hamburgers, fish and chips, etc.) Sociolect, with 50 percent of Canadians using this term.
The number one alternative Americans gave was “food truck”, with “burger truck” being the number one alternative among Commonwealth respondents.
One American commented, “Chip truck is a semi hauling wood chips.”
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 83% | 79% | 29% |
| Familiar but not used | 17% | 21% | 21% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 0% | 50% |
28. Give’r: To put in an enormous amount of effort. 71 percent Canadian.
In other words, “to give it all you’ve got.” Some Americans added, “the good old college try” or “elbow grease,” though I’m not sure the latter is synonymous. When you tell someone to “give’r,” you’re telling them to give so much effort that they bleed, and perhaps, even die. A few people said, “Give it 110 percent,” while adding, “We’re bad at math.” “Give it 110 percent” would probably be the most accurate equivalent.
Out of the three Canadians who were unfamiliar with this term, 66 percent were from Ontario. Of the 23 percent of Canadians who were familiar but don’t use the term, 58 percent were from Ontario.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 87% | 100% | 6% |
| Familiar but not used | 10% | 0% | 23% |
| Familiar and used | 3% | 0% | 71% |
29. All-Dressed: A type of potato chip. Or, if you are having an “all-dressed” hot dog or hamburger, you are having it with all the fixins. Also, pizza with pepperoni, green peppers, and mushroom. 94 percent Canadian.
This term I fully expected no one outside of Canada to know. The United States has waffle and chicken chips. Canada has all-dressed and ketchup chips. I suppose you can say all-dressed chips are as Canadian as poutine and maple syrup.
As for the definition in regards to hot dogs and hamburgers, “the works” and “everything” is the U.S. equivalents, while people in the Commonwealth countries noted that they ask for dressing individually.
The two Canadians who were unfamiliar with the term were both from Ontario.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 89% | 100% | 4% |
| Familiar but not used | 9% | 0% | 2% |
| Familiar and used | 2% | 0% | 94% |
30. “Take off!”: “Are you serious?” “Are you kidding?” No way!” Sociolect, 35 percent of Canadians using this term.
Of the Americans who said they were familiar with this term, even if they don’t use it, they attributed their knowledge to the movie Strange Brew. Some Canadians remarked that, even though they are familiar with the word, they haven’t used it since the days of “hoser,” and said it is outdated. I’m not sure if it is outdated, as the difference between people who know the word but don’t use it, and those who do use it was four people. Maybe those of us who do use it are just getting old.
Out of the 23 percent of Canadians who were unfamiliar with this word, 46 percent were from Ontario, and just over 50 percent of those who know the term but don’t use it were also from Ontario.
The most common alternatives given were: “Get out!” “Seriously?!” For real?” “Shut up!” “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 61% | 90% | 23% |
| Familiar but not used | 32% | 5% | 42% |
| Familiar and used | 7% | 5% | 35% |
31. BFI Bin: A dumpster. This word appears to have gone the way of the dinosaur.
Pronounced “biffy” in the olden times, when I was a wee lad, we would call the bin or dumpster “biffy,” after the company.
Among Americans, the common alternative is “dumpster.” For those who reside within the Commonwealth countries, the alternatives are “bin” and “skip.” Canadians have moved to an equal mix of American and UK English, with an equal number of Canadians saying they usually use “bin” or “dumpster.”
The following comments were left by Americans:
– I learned it from Canadians.
– “Biffy.”
– We just say dumpster, though we have BFI down here, too, in some areas. (From a person living in Arizona.)
– When we had BFI in our community, I’d hear that term, but I haven’t seen that since I was a kid. (From a person living in Colorado.)
One Canadian from Alberta said, “Yes, BFI is the company, but not heard anyone refer to the bins as BFIs.”
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 95% | 100% | 78% |
| Familiar but not used | 5% | 0% | 10% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 0% | 12% |
32. Kangaroo Jacket: This term is now only amongst us “old” people. Among the younger people, they refer to it as a “hoodie.” Regional Western Canadian word.
I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. I should note that “kangaroo jacket” tends to be reserved for the type of hooded sweatshirt that doesn’t have a zipper and has pockets in the front. People in the Prairie Provinces also refer to it as a “bunny hug.”
One American remarked, “Only used jokingly and rarely by the people now 70+.”
One person from the UK remarked, “I see where the older term is going with the pocket on the front), hoodie also used disparagingly to refer to youth hanging about, possibly from dissatisfaction/disenfranchisement, perceived potential for juvenile crimes in commission/conspiracy.”
Out of the 17 percent of Canadians who are familiar with this term but don’t use it, 60 percent are from the western provinces. Among the 31 percent who do use the term, 81 percent are from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 94% | 100% | 52% |
| Familiar but not used | 6% | 0% | 17% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 0% | 31% |
33. Freezies: Frozen flavoured sugar water that comes in a tube. 98 percent Canadian.
I had to look up one of the American equivalents: Otter Pops. Yes, that is exactly what these are, but in Canada, they are Mr. Freeze Freezies. The other alternatives given, such as “popsicle” and “frosties,” are not at all the same thing. At least, they would mean something entirely different in Canada.
One American noted that the only reason they were familiar with “freezies” was because of @mrwordsworth.
As for the Commonwealth equivalent of “ice pole,” I’m going to have to guess and say that they are the same thing.
The one Canadian who doesn’t use this word is from Ontario.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 73% | 89% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 15% | 11% | 2% |
| Familiar and used | 12% | 0% | 98% |
34. Stagette: A female-only bachelor party. 75 percent Canadian
The most common alternative among American respondents was “bachelorette” and “hen party.” “Among Commonwealth individuals, the equivalent is “hen party.”
I’m not sure how well “hen party” would go over for some people in Canada. Calling a female a “hen” or a “cow” isn’t acceptable to many. For some, it is worse than calling them the b-word.
Out of the 10 percent of Canadians unfamiliar with the term, 80 percent were from Ontario. Is that the result of a micro-sociolect?
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 77% | 95% | 10% |
| Familiar but not used | 19% | 5% | 15% |
| Familiar and used | 4% | 0% | 75% |
35. Turfed Out: When someone is evicted from their home, thrown out of a bar, or when you throw something away. Sociolect, with 37 percent of Canadians using this term.
This was one of the closest scoring sociolects, with 17 unfamiliar, 16 familiar but not using it, and 19 familiar and using it.
The most common alternatives among Americans were “thrown out” and “evicted.”
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 87% | 5% | 32% |
| Familiar but not used | 10% | 11% | 31% |
| Familiar and used | 3% | 84% | 37% |
36. Gotch: Men’s underpants, usually of the brief variety. Sociolect, with 27 percent of Canadians using this term, or the equally acceptable “ginch” and “gonch.”
Americans call them “briefs” or “tighty-whities.” In the Commonwealth countries, they are “pants.” Admittedly, for some Canadians (myself included), they are also called “pants.” One Canadian remarked, “Underpants is a much more hilarious word now.” If Canadians are not calling them “pants,” then they are calling them by the more common “underwear.” The one American who said they use this word also remarked that their husband is Canadian.
Out of the 44 percent of Canadians who were unfamiliar with this sociolect, 52 percent of them were from Ontario. The difference between “familiar and not used” and “familiar and used” was one person.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 97% | 100% | 44% |
| Familiar but not used | 2% | 0% | 29% |
| Familiar and used | 1% | 0% | 27% |
37. Hydro: Electrical power and heating. 69 percent Canadian.
In British Columbia and many provinces across Canada, our main source of electricity and heat is from hydro power. In fact, Canada is one of the top producers of hydroelectricity in the world, accounting for 58 percent of all electric generation in 2007. Many of our provincial hydro providers use the word “hydro” in their names: BC Hydro, Manitoba Hydro, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, Hydro One, etc. Prince Edward Island is the only province that does not have a hydroelectric power station.
The one respondent from Scotland noted that they do the same as the result of “Scottish Hydro Electric,” who supplies power to Perth and the surrounding area.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 60% | 37% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 30% | 47% | 31% |
| Familiar and used | 10% | 16% | 69% |
38. Skookum: Mainly heard in British Columbia, it means: strong, awesome, great, good, best, etc. Regional, with all of the 10 percent who use this term living in British Columbia.
For the complete definition of this term, based on Chinook Jargon, head on over to Wikipedia.
I was actually surprised by the number of non-British Columbians who are familiar with this term. Then, I remembered that “Skookum” has been used on SCTV and other Canadian television shows.
Of the three Americans who used this word, two of them live in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington), with one person from Minnesota.
The one person living in England who is familiar with this term, even though they don’t use it, noted that it was the result of seeing me use it.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 90% | 95% | 61% |
| Familiar but not used | 7% | 5% | 29% |
| Familiar and used | 3% | 0% | 10% |
39. “Fill Your Boots!”: “Whatever floats your boat!” “Whatever creams your coffee!” “Do it if it makes you happy!” Sociolect, with 33 percent of Canadians using this term.
In the United States, “Whatever floats your boat” and “Whatever trips your trigger” were the most common alternatives, with “Whatever floats your boat” being the most common throughout the Commonwealth countries.
Out of the 55 percent of Canadians who said they were unfamiliar with this phrase, 55 percent were from the Toronto area, and 24 percent were from Alberta.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 93% | 11% | 55% |
| Familiar but not used | 7% | 26% | 12% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 63% | 33% |
40. “Bugger The Dog”: If someone is “buggering the dog,” they are being lazy or doing a job very slowly, taking their time. Sociolect, with 21 percent of Canadians using this term.
Yes, the regular term is a bit ruder, but it can’t be used on GeekMom, hence the use of the word “bugger.” “Bugger” is equally rude, but would get by U.S. censors because of the lack of profane meaning in the United States. It’s like the time Captain Picard got away with swearing because he said “merde.”
I wonder how much the Canadian results would have changed if I used the slightly less-polite wording?
“Bugger the dog” is not to be confused with “screw the pooch.” They have two completely different meanings.
“Lollygag” is kind of similar, but not really.
One of the Commonwealth respondents said they were familiar with the term thanks to its mention in the September 18, 2013 episode of QI, when a Canadian guest made mention of it.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 89% | 100% | 61% |
| Familiar but not used | 11% | 0% | 17% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 0% | 21% |
41. Pogey: Employment Insurance (Unemployment Insurance in the United States). Sociolect, with 44 percent of Canadians using this term.
A couple of Americans noted that they only refer to it as “unemployment.” In Canada, the full term is “Employment Insurance,” but most people simply refer to it as “EI.”
Once upon a time, it was called “Unemployment Insurance” or “UI,” but that changed because the “unemployment” part of it is deceptive. In Canada, not only do you receive EI if you are laid off from your job, but you also receive it for extended medical leaves, the birth or adoption of a child, if your child dies, if you have to take care of a family member with a terminal illness such as cancer, and more. When you are on EI, your employer must hold your job, filling it as a temporary position, while you are on leave.
The most common alternative noted by both Americans and those living in the Commonwealth countries was “dole.” In Canada, “dole” would mean welfare/income assistance.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 95% | 95% | 21% |
| Familiar but not used | 5% | 5% | 35% |
| Familiar and used | 0% | 0% | 44% |
42. Serviette: Commonly called a “napkin” in the United States. 58 percent Canadian.
Some Canadians commented that they only use “serviette” for the paper type and that “napkin” is reserved for the cloth type. Others said they use “serviette” for both the paper and the cloth types. Others said they use both terms interchangeably with equal frequency.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 50% | 0% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 42% | 5% | 42% |
| Familiar and used | 8% | 95% | 58% |
Questionable Results
1. Chocolate Bar: Commonly called a candy bar in the United States. 100 percent Canadian.
The reason why this word is on the “questionable” results list is because many Americans responded with, “But only if 100 percent chocolate,” or something similar in nature. In Canada, the term “chocolate bar” is used for all bars that contain any amount of chocolate, even if it is a bar of candy covered in chocolate. A Skor is one example. This term isn’t reserved for bars that are solely made of chocolate.
The most common American alternative was “Hershey bar.”
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 2% | 0% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 35.5% | 0% | 0% |
| Familiar and used | 62.5% | 100% | 100% |
2. Track Pants: Jogging pants or sweatpants in other places. 81 percent Canadian.
The reason why this word is on the “questionable” list is because a large number of Americans responded with, “I am familiar with this term, but I never used it or have I heard it used in my area” and “I am familiar with this word and I use it regularly, or it is used in my area.” However, then they went on to say, “Not the same as sweatpants” or they added a description for “track pants” as something other than fleece pants, when I mean them to be synonymous with sweatpants.
The most common Commonwealth alternative was “jogging pants.”
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 20% | 21% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 50% | 63% | 19% |
| Familiar and used | 30% | 16% | 81% |
3. Rubber: Found at the end of a pencil or sold individually, to erase pencil marks. Sometimes used as slang for a condom. In Canada, the use of the word “rubber” to mean “eraser” is a sociolect.
The conflicting results for this word could be the result of me adding, “Sometimes used as a slang for a condom.” Most American respondents focused on the “condom” use and not the “eraser” use, as intended. The majority of the 68 percent in the “familiar but not used” category stated, “But only used as slang for condom.”
By comparison, Canadians specifically left comments stating that “rubber” is a very old slang word for condom, noting that “rubber” is most commonly known to be an “eraser,” even if they don’t use the term themselves. The difference between “familiar but not used” and “familiar and used” was six people.
In the Commonwealth, people left notes that “rubber Johnie” is the sometimes used as slang for “condom.”
The takeaway for Canadians: Yes, Americans may know the word “rubber,” but not in terms of “eraser.” If you want to avoid confusion, you may want to remember to not use this word, like I have, quite often, while in the United States. No wonder people were confused and sometimes, shocked.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 21% | 0% | 8% |
| Familiar but not used | 68% | 0% | 52% |
| Familiar and used | 12% | 100% | 40% |
4. Thongs: A type of shoe. Though sometimes, also used to refer to g-string underpants. 75 percent Canadian.
This is another word that I question for the same reasons as “rubber.” I cannot help but to wonder how different the results would have been if I had taken out the “sometimes” part. Again, for the same reasons as above, with many Americans stating they use it often, but then added, “But only for the g-string” in the “other” box, adding that they no longer hear it in reference to the shoe.
Given how Americans responded, I’m not sure I feel confident re-starting use of the term “thongs” for the shoe when I’m down there.
The most common alternative given was “flip flops.”
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 13% | 26.3% | 4% |
| Familiar but not used | 25% | 47.3% | 21% |
| Familiar and used | 62% | 26.3% | 75% |
5. College: A post-secondary institution where one goes to learn a trade, get a 1-year certificate, study health care fields (LPN, RCA, medical support staff, dental hygienist, etc.), train office support staff, or get a 2-year diploma, or take university prep courses/upgrading. 92 percent Canadian.
The reason why this word is on the “questionable” list is because most Americans said it can be used interchangeably with “university,” when in Canada they cannot. They are two entirely different types of schools. You cannot get a 4-year (or more) degree at a college. Some Canadian universities have colleges inside of them, but they offer different programmes, with very different “pieces of paper” and qualifications when you are finished. Also, there was one person who called a 2-year diploma a “degree.” Here, a “degree” requires a minimum of four years or equivalent credit hours.
The most common alternative words in the United States are: trade or vocational school, junior college, community college (which again is a whole other kettle of fish in Canada), and technical institute.
One person from New Zealand remarked that “college” means “secondary school” in their location.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 25% | 5% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 21% | 5% | 8% |
| Familiar and used | 53% | 90% | 92% |
6. Lineup or Queue: You stand in a lineup or queue when going to see a movie or waiting to pay for your groceries, etc. 98 percent Canadian.
The reason why this word is in the “questionable” category is because even though 58 percent of Americans said they were familiar with this term even if they don’t use it, most of them also commented that they are only familiar with “queue” and not the more common “lineup,” further stating that they use “in line.”
I also question the Commonwealth results, as some people also commented that they are not familiar with “lineup.”
The one Torontonian who responded with “unfamiliar” used the American “in line.”
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 6% | 5% | 2% |
| Familiar but not used | 58% | 16% | 0% |
| Familiar and used | 37% | 79% | 98% |
7. Brown Bread: Bread that is brown in colour, made with various percentages of whole wheat. When ordering toast in a restaurant, they will ask, “Do you want your toast white or brown?” 98 percent Canadian.
This is included in this category because too many Americans responded with “familiar and used,” but then stated that it referred to a specific type of bread.
The American alternatives were “whole wheat” and “wheat bread.”
Some comments of note include:
– Usually used for a high molasses content bread, possibly not containing any whole wheat.
– Only Boston Brown Bread, which is baked in a can.
– What do you guys call pumpernickel or dark rye, then? That’s what I mean when I say brown bread.
To answer the question, we call it by the type of bread: “pumpernickel” or “dark rye” or “sourdough” (though sourdough is a white bread), etc.
The one Canadian who responded with “familiar but not used,” was from Toronto.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 44% | 0% | 2% |
| Familiar but not used | 40% | 0% | 0% |
| Familiar and used | 16% | 100% | 98% |
8. Pissed: When used alone, it means “drunk.” Denotes anger when used as “pissed off.” 94 percent Canadian.
The reason why this word is on the “questionable” list is because over half the people who said they used “pissed” also said, “It doesn’t mean drunk.” My intent was specifically to ask about the singular “pissed.” The qualifier was so that people wouldn’t confuse it with “pissed off.” I’m probably at fault here for being vague.
A couple of Canadians mentioned that, in a few instances, “pissed” can be used to denote anger, depending on context. If you were to say to me, “He was so pissed,” I would assume you are talking about his extreme level of intoxication, as that sentence on its own is without context. Though, I only use “pissed off” to denote anger and never the singular “pissed,” within context, yes, I would know you meant a level of anger.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 10% | 0% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 28% | 0% | 6% |
| Familiar and used | 62% | 100% | 94% |
9. Dish Cloth: A type of cloth used to wash the dishes. Sometimes, the more general term “washcloth” is used, though rarely. 96 percent Canadian.
For similar reasons stated above, the reason this word is on this list is because of the large number (over 50 percent) of Americans who selected “familiar and used” for this term in the context described above, but then stated in the “other” box, “Used to dry dishes” or comments very similar. Others commented that the alternative is “dish towel,” which, again, is an item used to dry dishes and not wash them.
The other American alternatives were: washcloth, sponge, and dish rag.
The other alternative given by both Canadians and other Commonwealth respondents was “dish rag.”
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 9% | 0% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 11% | 11% | 4% |
| Familiar and used | 80% | 89% | 96% |
10. Housecoat: A type of robe generally worn by men. 88 percent Canadian.
Again, for similar reasons. A majority of Americans said they are familiar with the term, but then added, “Only used in reference to women.” A small sampling of these comments include:
– A housecoat is typically a woman’s garb where I come from.
– Housecoat would be considered effeminate. A man’s robe would just be a robe or bathrobe.
– I don’t use it, but my grandmother did. (There were a few of these comments.)
– Who wears coats in the house?
– Women can use housecoats just as much as men.
Bathrobe was the number one alternative given by Americans. A bathrobe is a different type of garment. Bathrobes are made of terry cloth. Housecoats are not. Others said “robe.”
“Dressing gown” was the alternative given by those in the Commonwealth countries and by a couple of Canadians.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 33% | 21% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 54% | 53% | 12% |
| Familiar and used | 13% | 26% | 88% |
Honourable Mention
1. Two-Way Ticket: Referred to as “round-trip” or “return trip” in other places. Sociolect, with 37 percent of Canadians using this term.
If three people had answered “unfamiliar” instead of “familiar but not used,” this word would have made its way on the list of words for Canadians to avoid whilst in America.
In the United States, the most common alternative was “round-trip.”
In the Commonwealth countries, the most common alternative was “return ticket.”
Among Canadians, the alternatives were “return ticket” and “round-trip.” The difference between “familiar but not used” and “familiar and used” was six people.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 48% | 37% | 15% |
| Familiar but not used | 37% | 42% | 48% |
| Familiar and used | 15% | 21% | 37% |
2. No-See-Ums: A small biting insect. Sociolect, with 50 percent of Canadians using this term.
A no-see-um isn’t the name for an actual insect. It’s just what some call any of those annoying, small, biting insects that bite you, yet are unseen. You hear them. You feel them. But those bloody things… you just no-see-um. I suppose some of these no-see-ums would be gnats or chiggers or midges, if we could actually lay our eyes upon them.
One American added the following to their “familiar and used” response, “Almost exclusively preceded by an expletive.” To which I say, “Yes!”
Out of the 33 percent of Canadians who were unfamiliar with the term, 53 percent were from Ontario. Out of the 17 percent who were familiar with the word but don’t use it, 33.3 percent were from Ontario and 66.6 percent were from Alberta.
Just like with “two-way ticket,” this could have easily gone into the “unfamiliar” category.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 46% | 95% | 33% |
| Familiar but not used | 17% | 5% | 17% |
| Familiar and used | 37% | 0% | 50% |
3. Chesterfield: A couch or a sofa. Sociolect, with 54 percent of Canadians using this term.
Despite the Barenaked Ladies gaining popularity in the United States, there are still nearly 50 percent of Americans who are unfamiliar with this term. As with the other two honourable mentions, this could have easily gone into the “unfamiliar” category, if a couple of people gave different answers.
A couple of respondents from the Commonwealth countries said that “chesterfield” is reserved only for leather couches.
Of the 46 percent of Canadians who are familiar with the term but don’t use it, 58 percent of them were from Ontario.
| United States | Commonwealth | Canada | |
| Unfamiliar | 47% | 32% | 0% |
| Familiar but not used | 50% | 36% | 46% |
| Familiar and used | 3% | 32% | 54% |
If you want to read the full breakdown of all 82 words, then download this PDF.
Update: A follow-up to this post, including a mention from the Department of English at the University of British Columbia, can be found here.
Hola! I’ve been following your site for a while now and finally got the bravery to go
ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney Tx!
Just wanted to tell you keep up the fantastic job!
Where is Kraft dinner? Nobody in the U.S. Knows what that is. Or pop! All Canadians know what pop is but most Americnas do not. Or Smarties. They call rockets smarties.
Pop is used in the rural Midwest and the Pacific Northwest
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2012-11-09-Screenshot20121109at3.05.00PM.png
Kraft dinner is like mac n cheese. Pop to us Canadian is soda to Americans. And smarties is a name of a candy..it’s candy covered chocolate really like m&ms.
Smarties are not covered in chocolate in America. They are little pieces of tart powder, with a chalk like consistency. (I don’t like them very much, can you tell?)
And Americans call it pop or soda, it really depends on what region of the country you’re in. I know a lot of people who were born and raised in Michigan, like myself, refer to it as pop, (probably due to Canadian influences on our regional culture and language) the farther south you go from the border America shares with Canada, the more it is either referred to as Soda or even Coke (southwest only)
The US term “fifth” comes from some old legality prohibiting the volume bottled sale of liquor equal to or above a one quart (32 oz., .946L). This gave rise to the common bottling size of 4/5 of a quart (25.6 oz., 756ml.) being “a fifth” less than a quart.
Essentially. Prior to Prohibition in the US, a quart was a wholesale amount and not legally able to be sold except at licensed wholesale establishments (package stores). Under that, it was covered by “per drink” rules and could be sold anyplace liquor could be sold at all, such as saloons.
The derivation the term, though, is that 25.6 ounces (that rounds up to 26) is a fifth of a gallon, just like “quart” is a quarter of a gallon.
A fifth is one-fifth of a gallon (also works out to be 4/5 of a quart). When Prohibition ended in the US it was a way to reduce alcohol consumption on the assumption that people would buy the same number of bottles even though they were smaller. NOTE this is a US gallon which is not the same as a Canadian (or imperial) gallon.
I found this post very interesting because I am a Canadian who married and moved to California 30 years ago when I was 41. It was fun remembering some of the Canadian expressions that I hadn’t used or heard for years, and seeing ones I still use. My friends here still catch me on my “Canadianisms”, but I have no intention whatsoever of giving them up! I am still a Canadian citizen too!
#9–a washcloth is NOT used to wash dishes! Gross! It’s to wash the body with! And when I travel to the Commonwealth and EU, I bring a stash from home (US) coz you never know which hotels/B&Bs away from the US have them, and which don’t. And you ain’t clean unless you use one. Leastways that’s what my momma taught me!
Can anyone corroborate my suspicion that “shiteroo,” to describe the totality of something untidy, is a Canadian neologism? Maybe I’ve already confirmed it as a google search for “whole shiteroo” seems to turn up only Canadian sources. Classic example from an off-roading message board (from a Victoria BC commenter):
“I mean, it wasn’t welded to the hanger first, and then the whole shiteroo welded to the truck, right?”
How come no mention of Katherine Barber’s book Only In Canada You Say (where she talks about all of these words, using research she and her team did when compiling the Canadian Oxford Dictionary)? And no mention of the Canadian Oxford Dictionary?
Blog posts about Canadian words should refer to those two definitive sources.
What about the term “reef on it” as in having to really pull hard on something to loosen it
you forgot the famous POVERTY PACK referring to a 6 pack of beer.
“Dish cloth” is a very common term in the Southern US (or at least used to be). My grandmothers (who were born in Mississippi more than a century ago) called them them that, and so do my mother and my siblings and I.
Should have specified that we use that term for the washing cloths. The drying cloths are dish towels.
Washroom vs Restroom.
I’ve NEVER gone there to rest. Wash? Yes. Rest? Never.
A rest room might to refer to a bedroom, a lounge, a family room, or perhaps a living room.
you dont really see that many people going into a washroom to just wash. it’s mostly to urinate, and then maybe wash while youre in there
I’m an English teacher in Italy and have to favour (not favor, ha ha!) international English in my lessons.
One of my favourite Canadianisms is a “soaker” – what happens when you unwittingly step in a puddle deep enough to fill your boots or shoes. Soaker would seem to be an Ottawa valley expression. Let’s also add “mitts” as companions to tuques. I think Americans use mitts for baseball whereas Canadians use (baseball) gloves and mitts are winter garb for skidoos. And toboggans! Don’t forget toboggans! Much different than a sled or sleigh. And to “euchre” somebody, coming from the card game of course (which also seems to be a Canadian peculiarity).
Fond memories of Domaine Forget in St. Irenée Quebec, a music festival that draws Canadians from throughout the country and many Americans, who are mystified at km, litres, milk in a bag and our ketchup chips (bought at the dep/dépanneur, of course).
I don’t think I’ve ever had a donair, will seek one out while in Toronto this summer.
I’ve just finished Annie Proulx’s book “Barkskins” – very enjoyable, deals with the timber trade and it’s role in shaping N. American colonisation and territorial expansion. I was surprised not to encounter the term “birling” (logrolling), which I think may also be Canadian, not sure.
And in Texas, a knitted winter hat is called a toboggan. I’m american, but I didn’t know that till I moved to Texas.
You seem to have missed the right American terminology for homo milk: 3.25% is “whole”, but many Americans don’t know what the fat ratio is, they just think it’s whatever ratio came out of the cow. It’s all homogenized, so that term is irrelevant (the only kind I know that separates is “raw”, which also means unpasteurized and is therefore hard to find/illegal)
It might be interesting to have included some of the more common French words & expressions from Quebec that Quebec Anglos have adapted, and see how far they’ve spread throughout the country.
I’m sure a lot of American hockey fans are familiar with the term “deke” but probably not so much for the average person. You can’t get much more Canadian than deking left and then going right!
WASHROOM!!!!
Ah yes, this. Stopping at a Walmart on the US side the sign says: “Restroom.” Stopping at a Walmart just across the border on the Canadian side: “Washroom.”
Canada is the only place that uses the term ‘North America ‘ to refer to Canada, hardly ever used in the US. By the way North America is USA, Canada and Mexico- I wonder if they realize that…
Where in Canada do we say that? When I say North America, I mean Canada, the US, and Mexico. It might be said that Canada is in North America though. Perhaps it is used back east?
Granted I’m almost 60, from Michigan; and my grandma in the UP only got Canadian TV in the sixties.
But I grew up with people using half the Canadian words you mentioned.
We still say ” Eh”. Dad Especially used tuque. It was only after I went south for university , and later worked out west I heard the ” American” terms like knit hat, Sharpie, soda, etc. Did you interview any ” Yoopers”? A pretty isolated group still.
I thought everyone’s dad told them to put on Thier tuques and rubbers before going out. Lol.
americans know theyre in north america, but rarely do you hear people say, walmart is the biggest store in north america, or chase has the most atm’s in north america. normally youd just say mcdonalds is the biggest fast food chain in america, rather than north america
Hello Jules,
I work for a museum in British Columbia and would like to use your Canadianisms word graphic in an exhibition. We are free, so do not financially benefit from the use of any materials in any way. Please let me know if you would be interested in sharing your graphic. I would be happy to provide more information. Thank you!
Hi Sheila,
Yes, you may use the graphic. I only ask for attribution. I will send you an email later this afternoon to discuss this more 🙂
Cheers,
Jules
When I grew up in Saskatchewan and Alberta, a biffy was an outhouse. Track pants or sweatpants were just “sweats”. I’d never heard of no-see-ums until I moved to Nova Scotia and Nova Scotians had never heard of a bunny hug. Now I live in Texas. Asking for “chips” will get you potato chips or crisps.
Hi there, thanks for this list, but as a Turk, I have to claim donair (from the Turkish verb donmek, ‘to spin’) as NOT Canadian. Döner, as it is properly spelled, literally translates to ‘spins’.
The Donair refers to a gyro with a special sweet sauce that was invented in Halifax. It is derived from Döner, but it is not a Döner.
I know a lot of these, but then I’m from Kitsap County in Washington, before WA was a big immigrant area, only twenty-eight now but I remember the weirdness when I was young and went to BC was that some of the Canadians thought I was from deeper into Canada cos of the isms.
Washroom I get, cos we have those on signs, or used to and will say that, but one weird one I remember only seeing in BC was “Water Closet”, and some old people would say that and some signs. Also, “Kangaroo Jacket” was really common here. But its similar, no one uses it anymore, it got eaten by the ubiquitous “Hoodie”. No See Um’s is so common I thought everyone knew that, I knew it here and people in New York (I got family there) Knew it too. I think its just regional for when there are the no-see-ums around and they’re not in a lot of the hugely populated parts of the country.
Also candy bars are chocolate bars without chocolate in them, here. Like a Big Hunk or stuff. Chocolate’s like a snickers or Mars or Kit Kat.
Also same with bachelor and Twenty-sixer and Pencil Crayon, though I always associated Pencil Crayons with being cheaper than “Art Pencils” which were colored pencils. Brown bread is especially odd, it was always brown bread until Walmart came around and made it Wheat Bread.
Bunny hug is only used in Saskatchewan. I’m a Manitoban, you can’t lump us in with the gappers!
What you show in #32 as a kangaroo jacket we would have called when I was growing up in the U.S., especially with the single pocket in front with an opening on each side for each hand, a hooded sweatshirt. It would be worn with sweatpants, which have a drawstring waist and no pockets.
In the U.S. thongs, at least in some areas, meant what we now call flip flops. I had thongs to wear at the beach as a small child in the 1960s. But that meaning got wiped out by the tsunami of thong underwear that came rushing through about a decade later.
I have a couple for you…
ABM = Anti-Ballistic Missile (military abbreviation – what is used to shoot down incoming ICBMs)
ATM = Asynchronous Transfer Mode (a form of communication between computers)
Gotch/underwear/underpants = skivies (Naval slang)
When in Australia, NEVER ask for a “napkin” in a restaurant–your waitress will likely slap your face off; ask for a serviette.
Regarding “abm” vs. “atm”: I worked for a large financial institution when these were starting to be deployed. The Company was afraid of the possibility that branches might be unionized. So we were all directed to use “ABM” instead of “ATM”, as the latter implies the automation or elimination of teller jobs. We were automating the banking, not the tellers!