Canadianisms (2024)

FAQs

What is the slang word for Canadians? ›

Canuck /kəˈnʌk/ is a slang term for a Canadian. The origins of the word are uncertain. The term Kanuck is first recorded in 1835 as an Americanism, originally referring to Dutch Canadians (which included German Canadians) or French Canadians.

Other words with unique Canadian pronunciations: News: Canadians like the Brits say nyoos while Americans say noos. Anti: Canadians say anty like the Brits while Americans say an-tai. Vase: In Canada, you have a flower vozz, while in America, it is a flower vase.

In other words, where many US speakers will pronounce "sorry" like "sari", (i.e. in the lot Lexical Set), Canadians make the first syllable like "sore." In fact, when Canadian actors learn that US speakers say "sorry/sari" in the same manner, they often remark "where's the pain in that?" For us, "sorry," the word many ...

Both “zed” and “zee” are acceptable pronunciations for the letter Z in Canada, though “zed” is much more common. Be warned, however, that some people feel very strongly that it is a betrayal of Canadian nationality to say “zee” and you may incur their wrath if you do so.

Bunny hug. The “bunny hug” is a particularly Saskatchewan term for what people elsewhere in Canada might call a “hoodie” – a hooded sweatshirt with a big pocket on the front. READ MORE: Can you speak Prairies? Here is your guide to deciphering the dialect. One of the first mentions of a “bunny hug” sweater is from 1978 ...

A kerfuffle is an innocent way of referring to a fight, an argument or any kind of conflict. Example: “That Leafs game was just one big kerfuffle for three periods.”

A “dart” is slang for a cigarette. Interestingly, it was first used this way by Australians, with the term later finding its way into Canadian lingo. So you're on your way to grab a dart, but you need to get dressed first.

Nize it

Another slang word popular in the Toronto area, nize it is a way to tell someone to be quiet or stop talking. It's pronounced like 'nice' but with a 'Z' (and also the total opposite of nice).

This room is commonly known as a "bathroom" in American English, a lavatory or loo in the United Kingdom, a "washroom" in Canadian English, and by many other names across the English-speaking world.

Why do Canadians tend to call the USA "America" and not "the US"? Historically, we Canadians tend not to call the United States “America”. We call it “the States”, or “the USA” or “the US”.

Do Canadians pronounce their TS? ›

In fact, some speakers of Canadian English don't use the “t” sound at all. “Fantastic” might become “fanasic” and “dust” “dus.” This rule doesn't always apply (as with the pronunciation of poutine), so use sparingly.

For example, canadian pronounciation of the word 'out' is like 'e' as in 'pet' followed by 'oot' as in 'boot', sounding like 'e'+'oot'. American pronounciation of 'out' is more like 'ow' as in 'cow', sounding like 'ow'+'t'. Other words often pronounced differenctly are 'pop', and 'roof'.

Canadian Culture

A handshake is the common greeting between strangers. Shaking with a firm hand and eye contact reflects confidence. Canadians may laugh lightly over handshakes to diffuse the formality. French Canadians may also greet each other by lightly kissing both cheeks once, starting on the left.

Let's make this quick and easy since we're pretty sure this cliché originated with the TV-Show South Park: Canadians do not pronounce “out” and “about” as “oot” and “aboot.” Instead, Canadians raise the OU vowel sound slightly (meaning that the tongue sits higher in the mouth), so the words “out” and “about” sound ...