Talk:Glossary of Canadian English words

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Articles for deletion This article was nominated for deletion on 11 November 2006. The result of the discussion was transwiki.

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[edit] Archives

Archive 27 September 2006 and before

[edit] WP:OR and WP:V, AND WP:NOT

These are important policies that this article is not following. I am going to be removing large amounts of data from this article and moving it to the talk page pending citations.

This list has gotten very unencyclopedic. HighInBC 14:40, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

Ok folks, I know I am being bold here, but this needs to be done. Alot of these words can go back after a quick citation. Alot need to be turfed. If this article cannot be more than a directory of words then it qualifies for deletion. I think it can be salvaged. HighInBC 14:33, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

Phew! This is alot of work, if someone can take over for a bit I am taking a break. HighInBC 15:07, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Needs citation

The following words need citation, this list is incomplete. HighInBC 14:32, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

Gee, HighInBC, I think it'd be pretty obvious that the linked words are "cited". Skookum? "The Line"?, "Pogey"?, "Grit", "sugar pie", "bluenoser", "depanneur", "alcool", "voyageur" don't seem to deserve to be in this list. If you're in BC and you've never heard skookum I can deal with that - you're a relative newcomer, one supposes. But pogey? C'mon - there's lots of uncited words of much less significance in the article. "Height of land" occurs in legal/land-survey terminology, BTWSkookum1 03:16, 31 October 2006 (UTC)
  • droke: (especially Newfoundland) coppice, thicket
  • give'r: a shortened form of "give her a go," this slang term is used to encourage someone on (i.e., if one wanted to get the driver to go faster, he could say "just give'r buddy!"). The present tense of give'r is givn'r(short for giving her a go)
  • Grit: a member or supporter of one of the federal or provincial Liberal parties (but not the Parti libéral du Québec)
  • height of land: divide, water parting
  • light standard: a lamppost; now obsolete in Britain, where it originated.
  • line: see Concession road. In British Columbia, "the line" almost invariably refers to the international boundary, especially in the Lower Mainland, e.g. "I went across the line to get some gas".
  • pogey: Social Assistance, Welfare (Especially in Newfoundland.), Employment insurance. In British Columbia ,Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia pogey always means Employment Insurance, as opposed to the dole or other terms for Welfare.
  • Ski-Doo: a brand name now used generically to refer to any snowmobile, most often pronouced "ski-DOO". Can also be used as a verb. "We are going ski-dooing today." Also skidoo. The manufacturer (Bombardier) originally intended the machine to be called 'Ski-Dog', but a typographical error during production was never corrected and the name, Ski-Doo, was retained.
  • Skookum: a term used primarily, but not exclusively in British Columbia and Yukon Territory as well as the U.S. Pacific Northwest, from a Chinook word meaning "strong, powerful, good, cool, superlative or first rate" but also currently used to indicate "very good." ("Skookum party last night, eh?" "He's a skookum guy, that skookum with you?")
  • Snowbird: a Canadian who spends the winter in the U.S. (often Florida). Often retired. Also the name of the Canadian Forces aerobatics team.
Extremely common in media usage; I even think there's a Canadian Snowbirds Association in Florida. As for the aerobatics team, that's obvious enough (ref DND).
  • sugar pie: A pie made with maple-sugar filling, similar to a butter tart and a staple in Québécois home cooking.
  • Abby: Abbotsford, British Columbia; very common in speech throughout British Columbia, but especially in the Lower Mainland.
  • all worried: Used in Montreal. If someone says this, they are usually being sarcastic and aren't actually worried..on the contrary...they probably have little worries.
  • The Ballet: Strip club, or exotic dance club.
  • Baywop: Someone living in a rural area centered around a bay. Mostly used in Newfoundland. A pejorative term.
  • Beauty . A term used to express thanks, or alternative way to say thanks. Additional meaning for "good fortune" or "cool".
  • Beaver Tail: Fried dough, a dessert food basically consisting of a pastry, usually covered with lemon juice and cinnamon sugar. Given its name because it resembles the shape of a beaver's tail. Usually known as an Elephant Ear or Whale's Tail in British Columbia.
  • The Big O, The Big Owe: Olympic Stadium (Montreal)
  • The Big Smoke: now pervasive enough in Ontario to have come into use in the Canadian (Toronto-based) media to mean the City of Toronto, this term is of British Columbian origin and has been used to refer to the City of Vancouver since the milltown era of the 19th century. The term was either a reference to the heavy mill-smoke locally, or to the pervasive cloud and fog of the city's location ("smoke" in the Chinook Jargon meant cloud and fog as well as smoke). Independently used for many cities around the world, notably London (where its usage may also have its origins in the old close ties between the UK and British Columbia).
  • Blue-eyed Arab: a term for a resident of Alberta, emanating from the oil industry in that province.
HighInBC, you must not be very old, or you'd know this is a vintage description of Peter Lougheed-era Alberta, with Peter Lougheed the archetype, steely-blue eyes and all.
  • Bluenoser: a term for a resident of Nova Scotia.
  • Bogtrotter: a term for a resident of New Brunswick, also a term used by Newfoundlanders for inhabitants of the other Atlantic Provinces.
  • Booze can: an after-hours club or blind pig.
  • Boston: In the BC Interior, a slightly derisive and sometimes aggressive First Nations term for "white man". Derived from the Chinook Jargon term for an American, boston man.
Cite is standard works on the Chinook Jargon (Harper, Gibbs, Lejeune) althoug the general usage for whites vs Americans (the usual context) is not that citable, as it's a spoken colloquialism and academics are in the business of recording First Nations languages, not First Nations-English slang.
  • Bramladesh: refers to the large subdivision of Bramalea, Ontario in the city of Brampton, Ontario because of its large Indian population
  • Brampistan: refers to the city of Brampton, Ontario because of its large Indian population
  • Broad: Affectionate term for a girl or woman with sex appeal. Down south, it has the connotation of a loose girl, but in Canada the meaning is not used derisively. Poker decks are bigger than bridge decks, and once they were called "broads." In the game "three card monte" the purpose is to get the queen, and because it used broad cards, the term transferred over to women.
  • British California: alternate name for BC; a reference to the similarities between that province and the US state of California, including their physical locations and relative climatic differences to the rest of their respective countries, the socially-progressive populations residing in their urban areas and along the coasts, similar political-cultural climates, and also because of the general resemblance of geographic shape of the state and the province . See also "Left Coast".
  • Bull: a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in reference to the bison head on the RCMP crest.
  • Bunny Hug: commonly used in Saskatchewan referring to a hooded sweatshirt.
  • Bush, the Bush: commonly used in Western Canada in the same way that Australians refer to the Outback, i.e., as a generic term, whether in relation hunting/outdoors or employment at mines or in the woods. In certain uses interchangeable with upcountry, but "the Bush" is never used to refer to any significant-sized town or agricultural area (relatively speaking, that is).
  • Bushed: in British Columbia and Yukon, somebody who's been in "the bush" too long, typically eccentric from being alone too long; possibly smelly and otherwise without civilized habits.
  • b'y: A term from Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island. The equivalent of "man," "dude," or "pal." Possible contraction of "boy," but more likely of "buddy." Example: "Go on, b'y".
  • aboideau: a sluice gate or dam.
  • alcool: grain alcohol; everclear (pronounced as if English, al-cool).
  • dépanneur: a corner store (convenience store) that sells alcohol, shortened to dep (Quebec only).
  • gaspereau: the fish alewife.
  • guichet: (Quebec) automated teller machine.
  • voyageur: literally, a traveller. Refers to one of the long-distance canoe porters of the fur companies, which is a strong image in the history of the Canadian North and West.
does not need cite; unless OED will do.
  • stage: (Quebec) pronounced as in French, internship or apprenticeship.
    • What is meant by pronounced as in French? I speak canadian english and I know only one way to prounonce stage. HighInBC 14:55, 8 October 2006 (UTC)
  • CanCon: short for Canadian Content. Refers to the requisite number of Canadian songs, films, programs, etc. that Canadian broadcasters must air.
Get a grip - how can you challenge this as uncited? Open nearly any newspaper's arts/film section and it's gonna be there, at least every other day.
  • CanLit: Canadian literature, of the variety that exists only because it's government-funded, and of a certain style. Originally derisive, ultimately adopted by the Canadian literary establishment as shorthand for itself.
  • Caper: Someone from Cape Breton Island (Nova Scotia)
  • Cariboozer: Someone from BC's Cariboo Country, and more jocularly than derisive. Need not be an alcoholic to be applied to someone, but definitely coined concerning the heavy-drinking culture of that region (which has one of southern Canada's highest rates of heart disease and other drinking-related mortality).
  • CBC: Canadian Born Chinese. Refers to the generation of Chinese born in Canada whose parents were landed immigrants. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is also the CBC.
  • Centre of the Universe: A common sarcastic term for Toronto, Ontario, derived from a belief about how Torontonians view themselves and their city.
again, common in Canadian arts media and in national political columns. Don't you read newspapers or what?
  • Chip Wagon: A small trailer or wooden building in which chips (fresh, thickly cut potatos, similar but superior to "french fries") are deep-fried for sale to walk-up, and, more commonly, drive-up customers. Common throughout rural Canada.
  • Citidiots, a portmanteau of "City" and "Idiots". Commonly used in rural Southwestern Ontario, particularly Bruce and Grey Counties to describe tourists or cottage-goers from the GTA.
  • The Chuck: Edmonton, Alberta, short for its other nickname Edmonchuck, a reference to the city's large population of Canadians of Ukrainian descent, -chuk being a common suffix in Ukrainian names. In British Columbia, the chuck is a reference to water, usually the straits and other inland waters between Vancouver and Vancouver Island from the Chinook Jargon and commonly used in marine English and in weather forecasts, e.g., it'll be fine out on the chuck. Also saltchuck.
standard works on Chinook Jargon (Harper, Gibbs, Lejeune, countless others); current English usage you can confirm by calling up the guys at the Weather Centre or one of the weather broadcasters, all of whom still use it on-air.
  • Chug: A derogatory expression applied to First Nations people (originally in reference to alcoholism).
Seems to me you've been trigger happy in pulling out words you've never heard; this is a somewhat common, albeit, unpleasant, derisive.
  • Coastie: In the BC Interior, a slightly derisive term for someone from Vancouver or the Lower Mainland, implying city attitudes and dress.
  • Constab: pronounced cun-STAB; the police in cities of Newfoundland and Labrador serviced by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
  • Cow-Town: Nickname for Calgary, Alberta.
YOu mean you've NEVER heard this??????
  • CPR strawberries: Prunes or dried apples.
  • Cote-Saint Jew: refers to the predominantly Jewish district of Cote-Saint Luc in Montreal
  • dep: corner store, adapted from Quebec French word "dépanneur," especially by English-speaking Quebeckers.
  • Dipper: a member of the New Democratic Party
  • Ditchland', also Ditchmond: Richmond, British Columbia, where all streets were lined by deep (and dangerous) drainage ditches, now largely replaced by culverts or otherwise covered.
  • Doeskin: lumber jacket.
  • Dogan: a Catholic; abusive, falling into disuse.
  • downhomer: a person from Newfoundland; sometimes refers to a person from any part of Atlantic Canada.

[edit] Not really Canadian terms

These terms don't seem to be special to Canada HighInBC 14:32, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

If you know differently please return them to the article. HighInBC 15:05, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

  • 2-4: (two four) a box containing 24 beer ("Beer" being short for "bottles of beer")

These numbers designate the Victoria Day holiday, which falls on the Monday closest to the twenty-fourth of May May 2-4

I don't know if it is exclusively Canadian, but people where I live, in Toronto, say it all the time. --Stephen 19:49, 29 October 2006 (UTC)
I've never heard it used for Victoria Day in Western Canada, in 30+ years. Country Wife 03:13, 5 November 2006 (UTC)
  • 2-8: (two eight) a box containing 28 beer. See King Case
  • 26er (also 2-6, twixer): a 26 & 2/3 imperial fl oz (1/12 of an imperial gallon / 758 ml) in earlier times, or 750 ml (26.4 fl oz) bottle of alcohol
  • 40: a 40 fl oz (1 imperial quart, 1.14 L) bottle of alcohol. (see forty pounder)
  • 6 mil: Describes a 591 mililitre bottle of pop.
  • 60' or 60-pounder: a 1.75 L (61.6 imperial fl oz) bottle of spirits
  • 66er: a former 66.6 imperial fl oz (1/2 U.S. gallon, 1.89 L) bottle of alcohol, probably also applied to 1.75 L (61.6 imperial fl oz) bottles (see gripper)
    • These terms are used anywhere alcohol is bought. HighInBC 14:32, 8 October 2006 (UTC)
Not in the U.S. they aren't. Never seen them used anywhere else outside Canada, either. Do you have any references? Gene Nygaard 13:18, 1 December 2006 (UTC)
  • Back East: In British Columbia, anywhere east of the Rockies. See Out East. In other Western provinces, referring to everything east of Manitoba. In Ontario or Quebec, used by Maritimers as a geographical reference where they are from.
    • Anyone anywhere will use the term back east to refer to whatever is east of them. HighInBC 14:32, 8 October 2006 (UTC)
  • Case (of Beer): In Central Canada, a box of 24 bottles of beer. In the Atlantic provices and the West, it more often refers to a box of 12 bottles of beer.
    • Again, same term used all over for a case of beer. HighInBC 15:01, 8 October 2006 (UTC)
  • Cougar: a term used for older women that are on the prowl for younger men in bars or clubs. Typically applies to those who are over forty and trying to dress younger then their age.
    • I here this term on American TV all the time, it is not a Canadian word. HighInBC 15:01, 8 October 2006 (UTC)
  • deke, deke out: to feint, to trick or avoid someone "to deke out of a meeting" or, to deftly manoeuvre around a sporting opponent (esp. in hockey). Also used to refer to making shortcuts and innovative routes through traffic. Word originates from the word decoy.
    • This seems to be a general sports term used in various places. HighInBC 15:05, 8 October 2006 (UTC)
  • dink: euphemism for "dick"

[edit] Other loanwords

What do we do with loanwords from languages other than French that are widely used in CanEng, but not in other type of English? (e.g. Perogy, or Inukshuk.) I think they should be in here too. Kevlar67 07:07, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] G'wan and G'way

  1. G'wan: Used by residents of the Maritime Provinces, in particular inhabitants of Cape Breton, to denote disbelief. Literally translated to "Go on!"
  2. G'way: Also used by residents of the Maritime Provinces, in particular inhabitants of Cape Breton, to denote disbelief. Translated to "Go away!"

Seems to me these are pretty common outside the Maritimes; very common in BC anyway, and always have been; probably explained by the long-time presence of migrated Maritimers to BC (notably Amor de Cosmos and W.A.C. Bennett).Skookum1 03:12, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] More not-just-Canadian words

Besides the words that say they are used in the United States as well as Canada (like "Chinook"), here are some listed that are common in the US too:

  • Kokanee: This is simply the name for Sockeye salmon that don't migrate to the ocean and back. They live in the US too and are called kokanee.
  • pop: Common in the US too, see http://cfprod01.imt.uwm.edu/Dept/FLL/linguistics/dialect/staticmaps/q_105.html
  • Hoodie: Very common.
  • Inside Passage: "a "marine highway" linking BC's south coast with the Central Coast and North Coast/Prince Rupert" ...it links Seattle to Alaska too.
  • the Rez: US slang too.
  • twofer, two-four: "a case of 24 beer (see 2-4)." This is common slang in Upstate New York at least; I haven't heard it out west.

Some others are used in the US too, but refer to Canadian things, like BC Bud, Haligonian (isn't that just the proper term, even if not everyone knows it?), Mountie, The Soo (Soo Line Railroad has its name on boxcars running all over the place). Anyway, just saying. Pfly 03:04, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Britishisms common in BC, incl. "bloody" and "bugger(ed)"

I just added the comment about "flat" in Victoria. There are other British terms that seem to have become endemic in BC, or at least fairly widely heard in BC. The two I'm thinking of at the moment are "bloody" - from "bloody hell" to "that bloody bastard" - and the various uses of "bugger" - "that's a bugger", "bugger him", "it's been buggered", and so on. Sure, it was the density of expat Brits here that made those words commonplace, coming out of their own numerous mouths; but the expat culture here is long gone, the words remain. Are they any more or less common in other parts of Canada, particularly the Maritimes perhaps?Skookum1 18:53, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Who says ABM?

Geographically speaking. Never heard the expression myself, but I will admit not to have visited the entire country. Everyone I know uses ATM. It would be nice to get a specific region, as "Canadian" English varies a lot between location (e.g. Quebec English has a very strong Quebec French influence not seen elsewhere).--Boffob 20:31, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

It's used by the Banks themselves, and Interac too, see: http://www.interac.ca/en_n3_31_abmstats.html for example. Kevlar67 16:51, 24 November 2006 (UTC)
I hadn't noticed that. Thanks.--Boffob 21:10, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
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