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Canadian Slang

By Monster Contributor

Monster.ca

Canadian English sounds pretty similar to a lot of American English, although the written word follows most British conventions, for example Canadians write colour, neighbour, centre, cheque. Here are a few words to get you sounding more like you are from up north, eh?

eh?
Pronounced "a" as in "say" a very popular term which means "don't you agree?" Can be used:

  • At the end of a question: So when'r you goin to class eh?
  • At the end of a statement: I heard John was goin out with Mary eh? It sounds like a question, but it's not.

College
A Canadian college is different from an American college. An American college is a limited version of a university, one that can grant only bachelor's degrees. A Canadian college is between high school and university and often teaches trades or practical skills. Most can only grant diplomas, although many of the older colleges now grant degrees and are actually called university colleges. Adding to the confusion, colleges in Quebec are known as Cegeps.

Keener
Suck-up, boot-licker, brown-noser, someone who tries to impress people of authority for their personal gain. ''He's such a keener.''

Loonie
Canadian 1$ coin

Pop
Or soft drink, but not soda. If you ask for soda you may get carbonated water, or soda water.

Runners
Or running shoes, called tennis shoes in The States.

The States
United States of America, USA

Toonie
Canadian 2$ coin, ''Give me a couple toonies and a loonie for this five dollar bill.''

Two-four
Case of beer that has twenty-four bottles.

Washroom
Canadians head for the washroom when they need to use the toilet. Bathrooms are places with bathtubs in them.

Zed
The letter after Y

There is also a mixing of the two official languages, especially in Quebec where you might hear an Anglophone using:

Allophone
Someone whose first language is neither English nor French.

Caisse populaire
A kind of co-op bank, found mostly in Quebec. Popularly known as a caisse pop.

Depanneur
Corner store, convenience store

Cinq a sept
Happy hour, cheap drinks at most bars from five o'clock to seven o'clock.

Apportez votre vin
Bring your own wine, possible in some restaurants that display such a sign.

Open/close the light
Turn on/off the light

Metro
Subway, underground

Poutine
Poutine is a cholesterol-rich Canadian "delicacy" consisting of French fries covered in cheese curds and gravy.

Tuque
In Canada, a tuque is a knitted woolen cap. It rhymes with kook.