New Slang
Every country has its unique way of saying things, and as an international student, English may be your second language. You need to learn not just English but Canadian English, with many new words and phrases that you might not have heard before coming to the Great White North. Fear not! We’re here to help. Put your reading glasses on and dive into Canadian Slang 101 with us.
Loonie/Toonie
The Loonie is a one-dollar coin, and you guessed it - the Toonie is a two-dollar coin. Only Canadians can make currency sound cute and dainty.
Double-double
A coffee with two creams and two sugars. Tim Horton's takes full credit for this one; it’s their greatest invention (right after the Iced-Capp and their fantastic breakfast wraps).
Whitener
More coffee slang! Ask for a whitener, and you'll get a powdered creamer that will pair great with your morning coffee before that 8 a.m. class.
Canuck
Aside from being Vancouver's hockey team, the term “Canuck” is an informal way of referring to a Canadian person.
Hoser
Another hockey term to add to your vocabulary. Hoser is a slang term for loser that stems from an old tradition where the loser team had to hose down the ice after the game.
Toque
A knitted winter hat, primarily known in other parts of the world as “beanie.” Also, it is an essential addition to your wardrobe if you plan on surviving winter, especially during these next few months.
Mickey
A Canadian slang word used to refer to a small bottle that holds 13oz of liquor.
Mountie
A mountie is a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Unlike your regular police officer, the RMCP is a national police force and operates at a federal level.
Two-Four
A two-four is a pack of 24 beers. You might want to avoid using this phrase during exam season.
Serviette
A French word meaning napkin. This is mainly used in French Canadian territories.
Fire Hall
It is better known in other English-speaking countries as a fire station or firehouse.
Eavestroughs
A beautiful, new way of saying “gutters".
Stag or Stagette parties
The Canadian way of saying bachelor or bachelorette party.
Hydro
A significant one to know when renting your first apartment. Since most Canadian electricity comes from hydropower, your hydro bill is your electricity bill.
Nanaimo Bar
Originating from - you guessed it! - Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, this is a delicious chocolate dessert you can make, with no need to bake!
Runners
Canadian slang term for shoes (not people)! You might know these as sneakers or tennis shoes.
Pop
It's a more fun way of saying soda.
Sorry
This is not a Canadian word, but the stereotype is accurate, and they do say it a lot, so Canadians practically own it now.
All in all, nothing screams Canadian culture more than hundreds of slang terms you won't find in your usual Oxford English Dictionary. Canadian lingo can be confusing sometimes, especially if you learned English in another country and grew accustomed to American or British slang words. That's the magic of languages; there's always more to learn. Pretty cool, eh?
What other Canadian slang words have you learned since you arrived? Please share with us in our Slack channel!
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