The Septic's Companion - List of British Words For Clothing Appliances Clothing Eating and Drinking Events Everyday Speech Insults People Places Science & Nature Sex Sport The Body Travel & Transport Weights & Measures The most popular British words or British English terms for items of clothing. anorak: 1 n someone who�s a little bit too knowledgeable about one subject. Generally a subject like seventeenth-century flower pots or steam trains, rather than athletic sexual positions or gun-fighting. Americans (and also Brits, as our languages merge ever closer) would call such a person a �geek.� It may originate with the fans of Radio Caroline, a U.K. offshore pirate radio station, whose fans had to don anoraks in order to visit the station. Alternatively, it may come from the most popular item of clothing worn by train-spotters. 2 n waterproof jacket (universal). boob tube: n tube top. A rather eighties item of clothing designed to make an otherwise attractive woman look like a malformed sausage. box: 1 n item that fits down the front of a bloke�s underwear and protects the crown jewels. Americans know it as a �cup,� although I suppose in the U.S.

such an item is less likely to be protecting the crown jewels and perhaps instead protects �the Bill of Rights� or some such. 2 female genitalia (universal). braces: 1 n suspenders. Beware of the cross-definition � in the U.K., �suspenders� are something else entirely (you�ll just have to look it up like a man). 2 metal devices used to straighten one�s teeth (universal). cardie: n abbr cardigan. A common abbreviation, at least for anyone who still wears cardigans. clobber: n clothing; vestments. You might hear: OK, OK, I�ll be out in two minutes once I�ve got my nightclubbing clobber on. It�s possible this definition is of Scottish origin. Brits do also use �clobber� to mean hitting something. court shoes: n pumps. Lightweight heeled women�s dress shoes with enclosed toes. dapper: adj as befitting someone who is very much the country squire � well-spoken, well-dressed and rather upper-class. Despite once having been a compliment, the recent unpopularity of the upper classes in the U.K. has made this a mild insult.

dressing gown: n bathrobe; the outfit that you wear if you�re an attractive young lady coming out of the bath to answer the door in a coffee advertisement. Or if you�re Hugh Heffner. Ah, the great contradictions of modern life. fluff: n lint. More than simply lint, fluff stretches to cover any unexpected bits of hair/fur/fabric, appearing anywhere from the corner of your living room to your posterior. jim-jams: n pajamas. So called because the pajama was invented by a man named Jim, and the original experimental variants were made solely from strawberry jam. jumper: n sweater. What Americans call a �jumper� (a set of overalls with a skirt instead of trousers), Brits would call a �pinafore.� kagoul: n wind breaker; poncho. A light waterproof jacket, usually one that zips up into an unfeasibly small self-contained package. The word derives from the French �cagoule� (meaning much the same thing), which in turn comes from the Latin �cuculla,� meaning �hood.� In the U.S.

technical theatre industry a �kagoul� is a black hood worn by magicians� stagehands to render them invisible-ish. I once thought about writing a whole book dedicated to the word �kagoul,� but then decided against it. kecks: n pants (U.S. pants); trousers. May come from India, where �kachs� are loose-fitting trousers with a low crotch. Kirby grip: n Bobby pin. The little pins you poke in your hair to keep it in place. knickers: n women�s underpants. In old-fashioned English and American English, �knickers� (an abbreviation of the Dutch-derived word �knickerbockers�) are knee-length trousers most often seen nowadays on golfers. ladder: n run. In the sense of a �ladder in your tights� being the British equivalent of a �run in your pantyhose.� In all other circumstances, this word means exactly the same in the U.K. as it does in the U.S. Mac: n 1 (abbr. of �Macintosh�) light waterproof jacket which can usually be squashed up into an impressively small size for packing away.

Possibly derived from the name of the gentleman who worked out how to infuse rubber and cloth. Americans call the same sort of thing a �slicker.� 2 buddy: Are you alright Mac? The two meanings appear together in the Bonzo Dog Doodah Band�s song �Big Shot,� which features the lines: On the way home a punk stopped me: �You got a light, mac?� / I said �No, but I�ve got a dark brown overcoat.� nappy: n diaper. pants: 1 n underpants. What Americans call �pants,� Brits call �trousers.� 2 interj crap. A general derogatory word: We went to see Andy playing in his band but to be honest they were pants. plimsolls: n light canvas shoes with rubber soles. A rather antiquated shoe, and therefore an equally antiquated word. Your grandmother may refer to your trainers as plimsolls, but that doesn�t mean you should too. plus-fours: n an awful item of clothing which consists of sort-of-dungarees which stop at the knee.

Whilst popular in pre-World-War Britain, plus-fours these days are firmly in the realms of brightly-colours golfers or inbreds. polo-neck: n, adj turtle-neck. A style of sweater in which the neck runs right up to the chin; far enough up to cover even the most adventurous of love-bites. pump: n gym shoes. A rather antiquated term. The confusion arises because in the U.S., it means high heels or stilettos. purse: n money-purse. A little bag that women generally keep money in. Brits call anything larger than a money-purse a �handbag.� rucksack: n backpack. One of those bags you wear over your shoulder on two straps (or one, if you want to look misguidedly fashionable). The word is used in the U.S. armed forces specifically to mean a framed pack, but in the U.K. it means any sort of backpack. rugger bugger: n Jock. A somewhat affluent youth who makes up for his lack of academic achievement by scoring on the playing field and in bed with young ladies. stockings: n tights. I think. I don�t wear a lot of women�s underwear.

Well, there was that one time. suspenders: n garters. The things used by women to hold up their stockings. They are not used by men to hold up their trousers (Brits call those devices �braces�) or their socks (they call those things, umm, �garters�). swimming costume: n abbr �swimming cozzie� bathing suit. One of those women�s swimsuits that covers your midriff - not a bikini. I suppose technically there�s nothing to stop men wearing them either, though that�s perhaps less conventional. You can�t pigeonhole me. tartan: n, adj plaid. The stripes-and-checkers pattern that Scotsmen use for their kilts but is also used for all sorts of things from throw rugs to tacky seat covers. tights: n pantyhose. I�m getting rather out of my depth here. Opaque, very thin women�s leggings and generally skin-coloured or black. �Tights� in the U.S. are generally coloured, thicker, more like leggings and rarely worn.

All of this makes little difference to me because the only reason I�d ever think about buying either would be if I was considering a career in armed robbery. trainers: n sneakers; running shoes. trilby: n a men�s felt-type hat (generally brown). The hat inherited its name from the 1894 George du Maurier novel, Trilby. The novel was not about hats, and if it even mentioned a hat it was only really in passing. However, during the first stage adaptation of the novel, one of the main characters wore a hat of an as-yet-unnamed type. Someone evidently thought that this was a good a time as any to name the hat, and so it was. trousers: n pants. In the U.K., �pants� are underpants, and so being �caught with your pants down� has even more graphic connotations. vest: n undershirt. The item of clothing worn under your shirt. What Americans call a �vest,� Brits call a �waistcoat.� waistcoat: n vest. An odd sort of article of clothing worn over your shirt but under your jacket, often with a bow-tie.

In the U.K., �vest� means something else, as usual. wellies: n Wellington boots. Look it up. It can�t be far. Wellingtons: n rubber boots; galoshes. A contraction of the term �Wellington boots,� which was the inventive name given to boots made popular by the Duke of Wellington. The further abbreviation �wellies� is also in common use. welly: n Scottish (when talking about automobiles) stick; punch: If you give it some welly you�ll hit fifty through the corners! This may or may not be related to the �wellington boot� definition. windcheater: n windbreaker. Cheap-looking waterproof jacket. Y-fronts: n briefs. The more form-fitting old-fashioned equivalent of boxer shorts. The name derives from the upside-down �Y� shape on the front, through the convergence of which you extract your old man in order to pee. The Great Canadian Word, Unique Phrases and Sayings of Canada The Great Canadian Word, Unique Phrases and Sayings of Canada We have some very unique Canadian Sayings and Phrases.

Most people think Canadians speak a lot like our American neighbours, but the truth is, we’re a little weird up here in the North. Great Canadian Sayings Great Canadian Sayings People must be pretty confused when we tell them that a “Coffee Crisp costs about a Loonie, pretty good deal eh?” Or, “I’d like a dozen Timbits with a large double double.” What on earth does that mean? Let me explain. Here are a few of the staple Canadian words used daily 1. Eh This is our most popular Canadian saying that we receive the most flack about from the rest of the world. Everyone always makes fun of us. They mock us by using “eh” in the most ridiculous phrases and they never get it right. So I am going to give you a quick lesson on how to use the word “eh”. It is so simple to use and anyone can do it. All you have to do is make a statement like “It is a very nice day out today.” If you add “eh” to the end of that statement, you can turn it into a question that will require a friendly reply from the person you are talking to.

For example…”It is very nice day out today eh?” To which the other person will reply “Yes it is.” See how easy it is? Now before coming to Canada, you can practice your use of the word “eh” and fit right in once you get here. Dave and Deb Canada words 2. Loonie By far the silliest word for currency on the planet. When our one-dollar coin came out in the early nineties. Nobody really knew what to call it. You can’t exactly call it a dollar-bill any more, and a dollar coin just didn’t roll off of the tongue. So obviously a Loonie would be the next choice right? Ok, I am kidding, it doesn’t make sense at all. That is until you see the coin. It has a picture of a Loon on it. So naturally we all decided to call it a Loonie. And of course when the two-dollar coin came out with a picture of a Polar Bear on it we called it a Bearie or a Polie right? No way…we ended up calling it a Toonie, because it rhymes with Loonie and we Canadians like things that rhyme. Coming to Canada?

Get your travel guide by Lonely Planet 3. Tuque I went my entire childhood and a large portion of my adult life not realizing that this was a word only used in Canada. I watched Bob and Doug Mackenzie as a kid wearing their tuques telling each other to “Take Off Eh” and never thought anything of it. Then I started traveling and made statements like “Its cold tonight, I should have brought my tuque” People looked at me like I was from another planet. It is simple a tuque is a knitted hat used to keep the head warm. The Edge from U2 often wears a tuque and Jacques Cousteau always wore a tuque. Now you know. Get a copy of Bob and Doug Mackenzie’s Take Off Featuring Great Canadian Rocker Geddy Lee of Rush. 4. Washroom: When I first started to travel the world. I was surprised to see the word Toilet used so much. In Canada we call it a washroom. To us, toilet sounds a bit vulgar. I don’t think that I have ever heard the term washroom anywhere else except for Canada. In the U.S.

They use bathroom, and restroom, I have seen water closet, the loo… But I never see washroom. I like washroom. I think I will keep using washroom. 5. Double Double: Ok, I could do an entire post on how Tim Hortons has shaped our coffee drinking as a nation. Mediocre coffee that we are all mysteriously addicted to. We have even opened a Tim Hortons in Afghanistan for our troops overseas. “I am going to Timmies to grab a box of timbits and a large Double Double.” That is what you say when leave the house to order an assortment of tasty doughnut centres and an oversized cup of coffee with 2 creams and 2 sugars at Tim Horton Doughnuts. Yummy. Tim Hortons by the way was founded by hockey legend Tim Horton. We love our hockey almost as much as we love our Timmies. For more fun Canadian Facts check out Canadian Stereotypes and Misconceptions 6. Two-Four One of my favourite phrases that is uniquely Canadian. This is our phrase we use when we go to buy beer. I am going to get a 2-4 of Canadian at the Beer Store.

Yes, we buy our beer at the Beer store in Canada and a box of 24 beers is simply shortened to the words “two four.” Our favourite holiday is Queen Victoria’s Birthday on May 24th. Not because it is the Queens birthday. It is because it is a holiday to celebrate our great Canadian Beer. We all call it May 2-4 Weekend, because that is exactly what we do. Grab a 2-4 of beer and go to the cottage to work on our “Molson Muscle.” A Molson Muscle is our endearing term for the beer bellies we have developed over years of drinking Molson Canadian Beer. Yee Haw! 7. Chinook A chinook explained by the Weather Network I had heard this word as a child. Being born in Alberta, Canada my parents often talked about Chinooks blowing in and how nice it was. I had no idea what this meant until I was older. It is quite amazing actually. I learned today on the CBC that it is an Inuit word for “The snow that melts.” What a Chinook is, is a warm wind that comes over the mountain in the dead of winter and instantly melts the snow and raises the temperature.

It is needed because Alberta can be extremely cold. My mom and dad love to tell the story of a pair of boots that my grandmother sent to them to keep warm in the winter. Well, my dad wore them out on one cattle drive and it was so cold that his boots cracked right open and shattered. They didn’t have gortex then. And that is why everyone wore leather my friends. 8. Chocolate Bar Our Canadian word for candy bar – Chocolate Bar Canadians call our Candy Bars Chocolate Bars and I like it. That is what they are made out of. Chocolate, therefore they should be called chocolate bars. I rest my case. A very typical Canadian chocolate bar is a coffee crisp. We have a commercial where the announcer asks, “How do you like your coffee?” Naturally, we like it crisp. Here’s a fast fact. Canada has its own version of M&M. We call them Smarties and we like to eat the red ones last. 9. Knapsack This is what we Canadians call our Backpack or Rucksack. To us it is a knapsack. All through my school years I would pack my Knapsack with my schoolbooks.

When I first started traveling 10 years ago, I said to myself, “Well, I better buy a new Knapsack to carry everything.” I now use the term Backpack more often but I haven’t been able to say the term Rucksack, it is just odd to me. I really miss my knapsack days. 10. About No, we don’t say aboot. If I hear one more person say “Oh your Canadian, do you go oot and aboot?” I’m going to sock it to em. Canadian’s don’t say aboot, we say Aboat. And I like the way we say about. The American pronunciation is more like a-bow-t. (as in take a bow) Why people think we say aboot is beyond me. But if you really want to delve into the reasoning for the difference. Check out Grammar Girl. She explains the diphthong differences eloquently here. So there you have it. Can you think of any other Canadian sayings that are unique to your region or the country? Tell us some words unique to your country, we want to hear them.

Pin it Subscribe & get Our Free Ebook Not only will you get Our 50 Favorite Travel Photos ebook, but you'll be subscribed to our monthly newsletter. We want to help you plan your next adventure and realize your potential. 124 Responses to "The Great Canadian Word, Unique Phrases and Sayings of Canada" By Alex Robertson December 4, 2013 - 11:32 pm They dont have dill pickle, ketchup and all dressed chips in other countries?? By Jollibe Ruiz Marcelino October 15, 2013 - 1:21 pm wow nice.. By Happy Canada Day July 2, 2013 - 2:03 am […] The Great Canadian Word […] Reply By Derek StOnge June 5, 2013 - 3:49 am I like the post, I just might find some problems with the picture. The hat is an "ushanka" and the beer from the US. By katherine April 7, 2013 - 12:40 am Canadians would say Grade X instead of Xth Grade. “I’m in grade 12”, said the Canadian.

“12th grade is hard”, said the American. And I know in the US, students will identify themselves as a Senior, or Sophmore. Whereas in Canada, we would call ourselves a Grade 12 or Grade 10 student. Or when in university, a 1st year or 2nd year student. And speaking of post-secondary education, in Canada, there’s a clear distinction between universities and colleges. I know in the States, universities are often called colleges. And what we call colleges are their community colleges. For pronunciation, more Canadians would say AN-TEE instead of AN-TIE in words like anti-biotics. Canadians would also pronounce the past tense of shine (shone) to rhyme with “dawn” versus the American “bone”. And for the word route, Canadians would often pronounce it like “root”. We would pronounce leisure to rhyme with “seizure” (Americans would rhyme it with “measure”). There is virtually no pronunciation differences between “cot” and “caught” when said by a Canadian. But when an American pronounces those words, there is a huge difference. Same with merry, Mary, and marry.

By debndave April 7, 2013 - 2:54 am Excellent additions and very accurate. Thanks for sharing! Reply By What is Canada like? Mainly ontario area? | 2niagaras.com December 2, 2012 - 10:22 pm […] If you expect beans on toast for breakfast, you’ll get very strange looks in Canada. (What people in the UK consider breakfast food confuses and frightens most Canadians.) We don’t have an afternoon meal called tea, either. Ask for your tea in Canada, all you’ll get served is a cup of the stuff. Biscuits = cookies here. A packet of crisps = a bag of potato chips. Here’s some more handy Canadian English terms that’ll come in handy: Link – Link – […] Reply By Andrew September 5, 2012 - 1:56 am Another Canadian word: Shed>>> pertains to any small building outside a larger dwelling….this word often used in the East Coast of Canada. By Brill August 11, 2012 - 4:32 pm So I’m Canadian as well, Ontario raised.

We used knapsack as well, but also used the other terms. Knapsack = small daypack for carrying only enough for the day. maybe schoolbooks. Backpack = Soft bodied, the same or a bit larger than a knapsack. Often used for multi-day trips or short hikes. Rucksack = Rugged pack for hiking and carrying equipment. Usually on a rigid frame. Often used by canadian soldiers. By Phil July 17, 2012 - 5:00 am we say eh in yorkshire, England Reply By Gail July 14, 2012 - 10:13 am What about the old Zed and Zee. My husband will occasionaly say Zee (too much American Tv, I guess)and I always correct him. I heard Americans don’t have a word for slush and don’t use the word toboggan. Reply By Lynda July 9, 2012 - 7:15 pm Hi. In Alberta the Convenience stores or corner stores used to be called Confectionary. They are changing to convenience stores, but in small town Alberta you will still see a Confectionary store.

Reply By debndave July 16, 2012 - 8:03 am Ah yes, I remember the confectionary store. I think I’ll head over to one today to get myself some sasparilla:) Reply By Canadian Travel Blog Post Round-Up - Insider's Toronto | Canada Travel Services July 4, 2012 - 9:00 am […] The Great Canadian Word, Unique Phrases and Words of Canada from theplanetd.com – Meanwhile, Deb and Dave thought it might be useful to help non-locals out with some of Canada’s local lingo. Might want to have a read over this before you go to Canada, although I think our British readers might already have some of these covered. […] Reply By Steph June 29, 2012 - 8:45 pm Chesterfield! Where I grew up the piece of furniture commonly called a couch/sofa was always referred to as the chesterfield. I’m told it’s a Canadian thing. I’ve certainly been greeted with baffled expressions anytime I slip up and say that abroad.

By Kira April 20, 2012 - 3:58 pm I’m going to use a few of these phrases for my school international fair! By debndave April 21, 2012 - 12:19 am Make sure that you do! You’ll sound truly Canadian:) Reply By charlene April 16, 2012 - 11:13 pm I use the words hassock instead of ottoman, and quiggley hole when the kids dig huge holes in the yard and I’m not sure about these one’s but i use them too whipper snipper or rumpus room for the basement? Reply By Emily April 17, 2012 - 1:53 am Whipper snipper! My family always used that word for a weed wacker. Not all Canadians use it but I’ve only ever heard Canadians say it. Meaning, Americans don’t say whipper snipper. Reply By Paulz February 29, 2012 - 1:29 pm Just a note on pronunciation.

Americans often make fun of Canadians for saying “aboot” rather than “about.” Close, but we actually pronounce it “aboat.” By jade February 14, 2012 - 1:12 am yep, my dad says clicks all the time living room anyone? vs den or family room… Reply By debndave February 18, 2012 - 4:47 pm Oh yes, it’s a living room. Do other people say den and family room? We’re definitely living room people. During the Mongol Rally our team mates were American and they asked us why we kept saying clicks. I didn’t realize that it was a Canadian thing. We say only 50 clicks to go. Kilometers has too many syllables ) Reply By Alouise February 13, 2012 - 11:27 pm I don’t know if it’s uniquely Canadian but I’ve heard clicks used quite a bit instead of kilometres.

As in, “that car got up to 100 clicks.” Reply By debndave February 18, 2012 - 4:49 pm I just replied about this on another comment but I think you are right. We drove from England to Mongolia with two Americans and they had never heard of the term clicks. Dave and I would say things like the next town is about 50 clicks away. Finally they said “Why do you say clicks” we replied “I don’t know. It’s just what we call km. Kilometers is pretty long when you think about it. Clicks is much better. Reply By bjk February 8, 2012 - 10:32 am Foolscap is used in Canada but not the US. It might be a Britishism but it’s also Canadian. By Sewbie December 28, 2011 - 1:24 pm Fun article – but many manyof the claims in the comments are not solely Canadian.

Mickie is used a variety or places, though it is an older term that i’ve hear in old movies, Thong is used all the time in Australia and NZ, I nknow some Americans who say hoser, I heat take off all over the place, as with sasquatchm yak, francophone and Kraft Dinner… though a lot of people have also taken to calling it KD. Or maybe Canadian influence is just starting to spread…? There’s a lto of word also that i hear all the time here, and not just in the US or elsewhere. Dinner, backpack, Robe (my household says robe, but others respond with Ooohh.. you mean a house coat?) taking a shower, and a nap. And i notice that those of us who lived in northern ON say packsack…but no one else does! Is there anywhere else in Canada that also says this?? I also remember that the term “sled” was not a toboggan, but a ski-do. And what about crazy carpet?

Oh the numerous words we have for our winter supplies… Reply By debndave December 28, 2011 - 11:45 pm Thanks for all the input, awesome additions. I have heard other people say packsack before and ski do is the word we use for snowmobile. As far as Hoser goes, that is definitely a Canadian influence spreading. Bob and Doug Mackenzie made it famous in the 70’s and it ended up taking of eh. Reply By robertmurray December 9, 2011 - 10:40 am Just wanted to wish everyone a great Christmas this year. It’s been pretty cold in Scotland but I hear it’s nothing compared to Edmonton’s weather. By windows 7 home premium key wholesale November 17, 2011 - 12:30 pm Just want to say your article is as amazing. The clearness to your submit is just spectacular and that i can suppose you are a professional in this subject. Well with your permission allow me to take hold of your RSS feed to keep updated with drawing close post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.

Reply By Andrew November 8, 2011 - 8:09 am In Saskatchewan, people call hoodies “bunnyhugs”. I was in my 20s before I learned that was a Saskatchewan expression :S By debndave November 9, 2011 - 12:55 pm Thanks Andre, I have heard of BunnyHugs. Great Canadian Word indeed! By jediSwiftPirate October 26, 2011 - 11:14 am oh yea i most definitly adore BACON! By debndave October 26, 2011 - 5:15 pm Mmm, backbacon:) Reply By Jools Stone October 12, 2011 - 10:20 am Ha, love this! We have Toffee Crisps here (must be close) and Smarties too, but can’t remember the last time I saw them on sale…. What about deep fried pickles? Only seen those in Alberta. And let’s not forget donairs!

Anyways… 😉 Reply By debndave October 12, 2011 - 4:38 pm I forgot about Toffee Crisps. I didn’t think that they made those anymore! Deep fried pickles eh, that is one that I have not tried, it is amazing what you can learn from people visiting your own country. You are more observant than us! Thanks. Reply By Guest August 12, 2011 - 12:25 pm I love this post! Great job! I have also recognized that People in America often call supper, dinner. Some people in Canada call it Dinner, but not as often. One word that is mostly only used in SK, is BunnyHug. It’s basically just a hoodie! By Authentic Seacoast Resorts July 1, 2011 - 10:54 am Don’t forget the iconic Nova Scotia toast “sociable”! Works best with an Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale in hand. No Canadian party is complete without it. Reply By davendeb July 1, 2011 - 11:43 am Excellent suggestions!

We love Keith’s it is one of our favourite beers. We get a lot of flack due to the fact that we’re drinking Miller in the photograph:) Reply By Dante June 16, 2011 - 8:08 pm and idk of candians pronouce it the same way but in northern us. states like pennsylvania, new york and maryland they pronounce “water” as “Wo-der” and in the southern states like florida , georgia and alabama we say “Wa-ter” even though its the same word “Water” Reply By k.c. July 9, 2011 - 5:11 pm Hi Dante, I don’t know if these guys are commenting here anymore, but this is a blog about “Canadian” things. When Canadians use the word “Poke” it means just that. He poked me in the eye. Canadians do pronounce the “R” in Pork. There you have it. Reply By davendeb July 12, 2011 - 7:52 pm Thanks k.c. yes, I think that Dante may have thought this was about words in general, which is ok with us.

Always fun to hear about what is different in each country and area that they live in. By Dante June 16, 2011 - 7:53 pm dont use the word B’Y in america dont forget if its pronounced “bi” , in america that term is short for bisexual (person who is attracted to both genders) =] so becareful with that word in america newfies… btw idk if u guys use it but in my island region in the florida keys we use “O” instead of “or” like EX: would you like a coke “O” some pepsi?… we also use “Pok” kinda like “pork” but just take the are away we use it to refer to pig products like bacon and porkchops EX: would you like some “Pok” for breakfast? EX 2: would u like some “Pok” for dinner? like i cant explain explain exactly how to understand it its just something you have to have grown up using to understand exactly which product someone is talking about By Courtney June 1, 2011 - 11:51 pm We have smarties in America. They’re just not as popular. Reply By k.c.

July 9, 2011 - 4:56 pm From a fellow Canadian residing temporarily in the U.S., Smarties in the U.S. are not the same. They have no chocolate in them. They are much like our “lovehearts” candy. Emjoying your blog, thanks. Reply By davendeb July 12, 2011 - 7:53 pm Ah, that explains it. I have heard Americans say that they don’t like Smarties and I can’t understand why. Now we know, ours are just better in Canada. Cheers! Reply By robertmurray April 23, 2011 - 4:29 pm I got a few words which aren’t on here: Cowtown, Bytown, Canuck, Mickie, Hoser, two-six, cherry picker, puck bunny,francophone, allophone, coulee and yak 🙂 Canada Kicks Ass!! Reply By davendeb April 24, 2011 - 9:50 pm Thanks for the additions. Mickie-I think we are the only ones that call the small bottle of booze a mickie..good one.

I don’t know two-six, what is it used for. Allophone is new to me too and so is coulee. You’ve given me some homework. And I agree, we do kick ass don’t we:-) Reply By robertmurray April 25, 2011 - 6:41 am A two-six is 26 ounces of hard liquor, an allophone is a resident whose first language is not English or French and a coulee is a valley. There’s also prairie oysters which are a bull’s casterated testicles (sounds gross, I know), sasquatch which is like a yeti, thong which is slang for flip-flops or sandels and I think the former name of Toronto is Motown so yeah, there’s another one lol. I actually live in Scotland but I have Canadian relatives on my dad’s side and I’d move there in a heartbeat. It’s one place in the world where you can find equality and freedom of speech. Plus, it is the most beautiful country. What’s not to love, eh? 🙂 By davendeb April 27, 2011 - 10:46 am Thanks Robert!

I learned a lot from you. We would love to have you in Canada:-) By robertmurray April 25, 2011 - 6:53 am PS, the former name of Toronto is Hogtown and not Motown. I don’t know what I was thinking of hahah By davendeb April 27, 2011 - 10:44 am Haha, that sounds like something I would do. I often think one thing and then write another. By NC-Canuck April 18, 2011 - 11:51 am A Canadian Moment, Tuque, Beer, Winter????? You should be ashamed of yourself!!!!!!! Drinking Miller you pussy!!!!! Get some good Canadian beer and then think about calling yourself a Canadian man!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By davendeb April 18, 2011 - 1:10 pm Yeah, we blame my brother, that is all he had in the house:) Reply By Barbara Weibel February 15, 2011 - 1:17 pm Ah, but you’re wrong on one count – we also call it a washroom in the U.S., at least where I grew up in the Midwest. I also just recently realize that they call it a toilet around most of the rest of the world, including Australia. I was told by an Aussie that they never correct us because they can figure out what we mean, but to them it’s a toilet. The little things you’d never know if you didn’t travel! Reply By davendeb February 16, 2011 - 2:01 pm Ah interesting. I thought that the US called it a bathroom and a restroom. Good to know that we have similar tastes when it comes to our toilet chat:) Reply By Andy B January 30, 2011 - 11:05 pm Buttertarts are Canadian and the term ‘courier’ eg, FedEx, etc.

Having worked in NYC, I was surprised how many unique Canadian words and references exist. I thought it was hilarious that toque is a ‘ski cap’ in the States. A ski cap? Please! Reply By davendeb January 31, 2011 - 3:57 am Andy, you are so right about the Buttertarts. I should have put that in. I think I wrote about it in an old food post. Here is the post about Canada’s lack of food identity By Austin January 19, 2011 - 9:33 pm Housecoat others say Robe Jesus Murphey– we all say it.. “look ma, the neighbors walking around in his underwear” “Jesus Murphey!” mickey, bottle of liquor (13oz) Sketchy “Take Off” instead of “Get Lost”. chesterfield: a sofa or couch fire hall: fire station Reply By Andrew McIntosh April 2, 2011 - 12:07 am I use all of those except for “take off”.

Honestly, I don’t think I’ve heard too many people use that one except when mimicking Bob & Doug (which, admittedly, people do a lot). Where I grew up, the kids played “Hide and Go”, not “Hide and Seek”. Reply By Norm October 17, 2010 - 4:56 am My wife and I are getting ready to move to Canada after leaving 5 years ago. I’m Canadain and she’s “merican”. I explained that once she gets there, she’ll have to learn Canadian and she could then say that she’s bilingual. “Y’all going to lunch, eh”. Wonder if she put that she’s bilingual on her resume.

lol By canadian-stereotypes-and-misconceptions-I-am-Canadian | The Planet D: Around the World Adventure Couple September 7, 2010 - 10:45 am […] to skate…Okay that one is true.—For more help understanding Canadians check out these postsThe Great Canadian Word – Unique Words and Phrases of CanadaCanadian Food Our Lack of IdentityStrange and Funny Names of Places in CanadaAnd now to end with a […] By Micalishis August 23, 2010 - 3:38 am I’ve got a few more for you guys. Pencil Crayons – coloured pencils (also only we spell colour with a “u”). Farmers Tan – a tan that stops just below your shoulder due to wearing t-shirts too much. Kraft Dinner – macaroni and cheese. Naniamo Bar (obviously) – basically a chocolate sandwich with some kind of wierd cream in the middle (it is so good). Fire Hall – I guess other people may call it a fire station but I’m not sure. I got all of these off another website so they may not be true (I just assumed).

Reply By Tuck August 8, 2010 - 2:51 am I’m from Malaysia but I studied and live in Washington A.C. Yes, not D.C. This is the state of Washington, Above California. And I love to converse with my college mates from up north British Columbia and Alberta, just to listen to them use the ‘eh’ word. I used that a lot even after I graduated. It’s similar to a very Malaysian word ‘lah’ which we add to everything we say. For example, if we disagree, we’ll say “no lah”. Instead of saying “Let’s go!”, we say “let’s go lah”. It softens the expression and instead of it sounding like a command, it becomes more like a persuasion. So, come lah, come visit Malaysia and see for yourself. 😉 Reply By Emily August 5, 2010 - 8:52 am I think pilon is a Canadian word. You know, the usually orange cone things used for construction and sports. When I was in the southern US and said pilon, no one knew what I meant. They all said cone. When I hear ‘cone’ I think of an icecream cone.

Reply By davendeb August 5, 2010 - 3:17 pm Great suggestion. I didn’t know that Americans didn’t call it a Pilon. I wonder if anyone else in the world calls it a pilon or is it just we Canadians? Reply By englishguest December 9, 2011 - 7:14 am its so cool looking at how different we use slang :’) over here in england the younger generation calls them traffic cones and the older generation call them pilons, reading your blog has been really interesting! 🙂 Reply By The Travel Mama's Blogs & Trip Reports - Accommodations, Air Travel, Disney Travel, Road Trips, Trip Reports March 10, 2010 - 1:23 pm […] blog post from ThePlanetD.com, a travel blog by “Canada’s Adventure Couple” on The Great Canadian Word, Unique Phrases and Words of Canada.

So, sit back, crack open a 2-4, pull a chocolate bar out of your knapsack and enjoy these Canadian […] By Rado February 26, 2010 - 12:03 pm How about: “I am sorry” – The original Canadian phrase we use all the time (trust me I have been to places where people will slam into you and walk away like you were a pilon. Also: Canuck – though the term will probably be more of how others call us. “Beaver tail” – 😀 Reply By davendeb March 2, 2010 - 4:54 am Rado, so true. We catch ourselves saying it all the time. And wish sometimes others would say it just a little bit. Thanks for the input. By Melanie February 23, 2010 - 11:22 am CHESTERFIELD!!!! My parents always used the term chesterfield instead of couch/sofa POP…i dunno if this is accurate but i notice most americans and ppl from other countries call it soda…POP! Thats enough from me….think im gonna go relax on the chesterfield with a pop.

toodles! Reply By davendeb February 23, 2010 - 11:32 pm So true! Pop is a Canadian thing and everyone else says soda. Soda is so strange to our ear. Reply By davendeb March 2, 2010 - 4:28 am You are so right. Soda is what others call it, Canadians call it pop. Chesterfield, that is a good one, I forgot about that one. Thanks for the imput! Reply By mel May 27, 2011 - 12:10 pm Everyone in Kansas calls it pop. I don’t hear anyone call it soda. That would be weird! By davendeb May 28, 2011 - 9:51 am That’s cool Mel, I didn’t realize that it was called pop in Kansas. I agree, soda is weird to my ears. By Zach September 27, 2011 - 11:50 pm Just ran across this article and had to respond to “pop”.

While I know it is used in at least Ontario (where I have family), it originated in Detroit, where I’m from. Midwesterners call in pop, East Coast/West Coast call it soda, and Southerners call in coke (i.e. a Coke-Cola or a Pespi coke). Reply By davendeb September 28, 2011 - 3:50 pm Thanks for the information Zach. I didn’t realize it originated in Detroit, however I have heard a lot of people from Michigan say pop too so that explains it! By uberVU - social comments February 20, 2010 - 10:54 pm Social comments and analytics for this post… This post was mentioned on Twitter by flipbooks: The #Canadian Dictionary ~ Words & Unique Phrases of Canada (via @theplanetd) #LOL!… By Person February 17, 2010 - 10:24 pm I thought it was toque not tuque. Reply By davendeb February 17, 2010 - 10:29 pm Hi Person, it can be spelled both ways, tuque or toque.

Tuque is the French spelling but the English have adopted Toque and even Touque. Since it is pronounced “tewk” we like spelling it the French way since it looks more like the way it is pronounced. When I see toque, it makes me think that it is pronounced more like Toke, or took. But you are right, either way is the proper spelling. By John Bardos - JetSetCitizen January 13, 2010 - 10:33 am How about ‘hoser’ from the MacKenzie brothers? ‘Two-four’ was a big one for me back in the day. 🙂 Does your grandmother call ‘lunch’ dinner and dinner ‘supper?’ My grandma also calls her sofa a Davenport. Reply By davendeb January 13, 2010 - 11:39 am Hi John, We call our dinner supper a lot as well. I didn’t think of that one. And hoser is a popular one as well. I love that we use two-four when buying beer, it is just so Canadian.

By canuck March 25, 2011 - 2:33 pm my grandma also calls couches CHESTERFIELDS! the other thing – small difference – im canadian living in the US and people make fun of me for saying “I’m having a shower” or “I’m gonna have a nap” – they only use “taking” for showers and naps. good one on knapsack!! Another is using the word “line-up” as a noun. Most Americans just “lines” By davendeb March 25, 2011 - 3:45 pm Very true, we have definitely heard the term chesterfield a lot. I didn’t realize that Americans say, taking a shower. I’m with you, I’m having a nap and a shower:) By Three Weeks Until India and thePlanetD is Going Strong | The Planet D: Around the World Adventure Couple November 2, 2009 - 5:19 pm […] Plus, for the first time ever, we saw significant traffic from digg. That is a first for us.

Our Great Canadian Word Post caught on with the online community this week and we saw first hand the value of digg.-We are […] Reply By Candice October 29, 2009 - 12:45 pm Hahaha, there’s also several ways you can use it. For example, you can use it when something is incredulous. If your friends say something surprising, spring a “OHHH YIS B’Y!” on them. They’ll love it. Also works as “you’re an idiot”, but use a different tone. Damn. I should a make a video of this. 😉 Reply By Shannon OD October 28, 2009 - 10:31 pm Lol! Well, with you swearing by them I’ll give them a shot next time I make it up that way; perhaps it’s like Coke, a different formula overseas 🙂 Reply By Shannon OD October 28, 2009 - 9:45 pm How fun! Will be great to throw out a couple of these when I make it up that way.

A couple of Canadians I met in Ireland last month used “eh” ALL the time, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but snicker! 🙂 Also, I have to disagree on the smarties…they had these abroad and I wasn’t overly impressed, I’ll take my M&Ms!!! 😉 Reply By davendeb October 28, 2009 - 10:05 pm Ah! our Beloved Smarties, how could you Shannon??? (I’m just kidding) I didn’t know that they had them abroad. Something tells me that they just don’t make them as well as they do here:-) I do love M&M’s too. Reply By John February 26, 2010 - 2:04 am Smarties were introduced by Rowntree of York in 1882. A popular sugar-coated chocolate confectionery available in Europe and the Commonwealth of Nations but not the USA. they were described as “chocolate beans”. By davendeb March 2, 2010 - 4:56 am Thanks John, I am always learning so much on this blog.

By Steph June 29, 2012 - 8:39 pm Just to confuse the issue further, in America they have candies called Smarties, but they are what we call Rockets in Canada — those sourish compressed sugar discs that come in rolls. So it’s possible to have a conversation with an American and think you’re talking about the same thing, when in fact it’s two completely different types of candy! And Canadian company Ganong claims to have invented to chocolate bar,so I think that give our name precedence, don’t you? Geez, I’m strangely authoritative about candy. I wonder if that has any correlation to the size of my waistline. By debndave June 30, 2012 - 2:15 am haha, thanks Steph. I didn’t know that there was an American Smarties. The things you learn on a travel blog:) By Candice October 28, 2009 - 9:11 pm Hmmm, kinda hard to sound it out…kinda like “boy” without the “o”. Actually, “bi” would be the best example, hahaha. And yeah, “pop”! Not “soda”!

Pshhh. Reply By davendeb October 28, 2009 - 10:03 pm Thanks Candice, I am going to start using B’y. I have some friends from Newfoundland, so I think that I can hear the accent as I am thinking about how to say it:) Nice! Reply By davendeb October 28, 2009 - 8:47 pm I just saw a comment on digg and they are soooo right. I forgot all about the word “pop” Americans call it soda and that just sounds strange to we Canadians. We say “do you wanna pop?” Reply By Sean N January 16, 2010 - 2:26 pm I stumbled on this doing research on the usage of the word “pop”. To say that all American’s call it “soda” is grossly inaccurate. The word “pop” to refer to what we know as “soft drinks” is traceable back to Faygo, a Detroit, Michigan company. Because of that, many Michiganders and people from the upper Midwest say Pop. In America, Soda is more prevalent in the West Coast and the Eastern Seaboard.

Whereas, in the South, Coke has become the generic term for all soft drinks, regardless of brand. However, there is no real geographic boundary of usage. All examples can be found pretty much anywhere in America. Long story short, Pop is not just a Canadian phenomena. 🙂 By davendeb January 16, 2010 - 8:20 pm Thanks Sean for doing all our research. By Kira April 20, 2012 - 3:55 pm My dad’s family uses pop only when our aunt from Canada visits. We live in Wisconsin…you would be surprised how many people use “soda”, not “pop.” By Candice October 28, 2009 - 10:10 am Awesome! Hahaha. This post is hilarious. I’d like to do one just for Newfoundland words. I was stunned when my solder friend told me that there’s a Tim Horton’s at his base in Afghanistan, he even took some pics for me. Some additional comments from this Newfie…try adding some turkey dressing to your poutine. Seriously. It’s delicious.

In these parts, we also have chips flavoured like Roast Chicken and Fries and Gravy, and soft drinks like Pineapple Crush. We also use the word “b’y” instead of “eh.” It’s kinda like a term of endearment, “Whatta ya at, b’y?” As in “What’s up, friend?” Reply By davendeb October 28, 2009 - 5:39 pm Hi Candice, Thanks for the Newfoundland words. How do you pronounce b’y? Is there a way to write it phonetically? Mmm, Pineapple Crush sounds great and I believe you, Turkey dressing sounds like it would be a nice addition to poutine! By andrea May 31, 2013 - 8:10 pm Hi Dave b’y is pronounced like bye with a short e (not pronounced haha)there is also a nice mix of “eh b’y” By Lucy October 28, 2009 - 9:07 am “Parkette” (i.e., small park) is a Canadian word. I believe it originated in Ontario.

By davendeb October 28, 2009 - 5:36 pm Thanks for the addition to great Canadian Words Lucy, I have totally used Parkette before. Love it! Reply By davendeb February 21, 2010 - 6:59 am We are learning so much. I use the word Parkette too and didn’t know it was from Ontario, our home Province. Reply By Kyle D November 22, 2011 - 10:23 pm no. i’m fluent in English & french. Parkette = Park , In French! I like in Ontario and never do we use that word. Reply By Audrey September 17, 2009 - 1:49 pm Very funny. I could have used this a few years ago when we lived in Prague. I shared an office with a Canadian and my husband did consulting for a Canadian-owned mobile phone company. Perhaps you could offer cross-cultural courses around the world for Canadian companies 🙂 Reply By Carolyn July 4, 2009 - 8:59 pm Enjoyed this post!

I linked to it from my site, Living Abroad in Canada, that provides advice for people relocating to Canada: Reply By davendeb February 21, 2010 - 6:58 am Excellent contributions Carolyn. I didn’t know that garburator was Canadian or till, or writing exams. Huh, the things you learn writing a blog post:-) Reply By Nora July 2, 2009 - 8:22 pm I’ve been so busy picking up (and writing about) words from different countries, that I realize I’ve forsaken my own Canadian heritage! I agree wholeheartedly on all the above terms (“toilet” sounds so much dirtier than “washroom”!), and will also say that I’ve brought Poutine to Australia, and they dig it here. (score! 1 for Canada! They also like pumpkin pie….that’s 2 for Canada!) By infinitecuil June 21, 2009 - 8:48 pm Is that MGD I see…?

Some Canadian… Reply By davendeb February 21, 2010 - 6:53 am Very true, but that is such a Canadian moment in it’s own way. Using an American product is very Canadian. Reply By jen laceda June 16, 2009 - 8:34 pm Oooh, I’d have to do a more in-depth investigation on this one. Oh, I have one…serviette!! (oops, maybe the French use them, too?). I lived in the Philippines for 20 years. We called our washrooms there…comfort room! Reply By davendeb February 21, 2010 - 6:56 am Serviette! That is a good one, my family calls them that too, I didn’t think of that one. I kind of like comfort room. Are the washrooms comfortable in the Philippines? Reply By Melanie@TravelsWithTwo June 12, 2009 - 3:32 pm At last, I can dazzle my Canadian expat friends here in L.A. with my knowledge of “Loonies” — and I have you to thank!

For the record, I grew up in Washington, D.C., and called a backpack a knapsack. So, I’ve got that going for me. If only I’d known I was mimicking Canadians, I could have had a much happier childhood. And lastly, I don’t know if you guys have a special name for Tim Horton’s doughnuts, but my husband would like to suggest, “Wonder rings of goodness.” Sure, it’s a long one…but pretty darn accurate. By davendeb February 21, 2010 - 6:55 am Wonder rings of Goodness, I like that. I do love my Tim Hortons Doughnuts! Reply By davendeb February 21, 2010 - 7:01 am Yeah! We share the knapsack with Washington D.C. I knew that the capital city was a smart one:-) By Corbin at i backpack canada June 8, 2009 - 11:18 pm Hey guys! Fantastic post – Now that it’s summer I’m seeing more and more 40+ year old men mowing their lawn flexing that Molson Muscle like no other.

A few days ago a friend and me spotted a guy going for a jog in some short shorts, rocking an Ipod & a very athletic Gut. I wrote a bit of a write up about you two on my blog as well, along with a link to this post. Any potential backpackers heading to Canada need to know a few of these sayings. Reply By davendeb February 21, 2010 - 7:00 am Haha, yes you do see a lot of the Molson Muscle cutting lawns in the summer time Corbin. Good one! Reply By Marcia Morris March 19, 2012 - 12:05 pm Help “fellow Canadians”! (I am proudly “1/2 Canadian” – my Mom was born in 1915 in the small town of Vankleek Hill in NE Ontario. Her name was Pearl Victoria,and sha and my Grandpa Victor Blackwell, spoke a lot of unique phrases as I was growing up in central NY in the 50’s.

He was a town blacksmith, along with his father William, in Van Kleek Hill, and continued the trade here in Manlius, when they emigrated in the 40’s. (My Mom pronounced it VAN Klee-kill) Are these phrases familiar to anyone? “By the great horned spoon,” you’ve grown so tall! I’m going out in the yard to talk to Ellen but we’ll only “bat the fat” for a few minutes. (It’s equivalent to the phrase “shoot the breeze” here.) My Mom would look at my dishevelled hair when I woke up, and she’d say to me I looked like “the Wreck of the Hesperus” – a ship that was mentioned in a poem. That’s it! Any of them familar to anyone? I’ve been ever-curious about them for years!! Thanks! Reply By Owen August 24, 2012 - 12:35 am I’d been told I looked like “the wreck of the Hesperus” a couple of times too, although I’d forgotten about that one until you reminded me. So thanks! The other ones aren’t ringing a bell though, I’m afraid.

dressing gown - definition of dressing gown in English | Oxford Dictionaries Definition of dressing gown in English: dressing gown A long, loose robe, typically worn after getting out of bed or bathing.

Example sentences ‘They all jumped a mile in the air as she came out of the bathroom, a dressing gown wrapped around her.’ ‘In 1963 he set up his own small company making pyjamas and dressing gowns.’ ‘Linen pyjamas and woollen dressing gowns were everywhere.’ ‘The owner's wife stood on the bottom step of the stairs, a woollen dressing gown clutched about her.’ ‘As I cruised past, I saw people dressed in silk dressing gowns and cowboy hats milling about in the rain.’ ‘While the guards still wore their uniform, the nobles were in their nightdresses and dressing gowns.’ ‘She was wearing a light dressing gown and a pale blue woollen hat because her hair had never grown back after chemotherapy.’ ‘I am wearing a long white gown; I spot a dressing gown on the nearby chair.’ ‘I'm sitting in my dressing gown and tracksuit bottoms, having spent the whole day in bed.’ ‘He hops onto the train and finds a carriage full of kids who, like him, are all in their pyjamas and dressing gowns.’ ‘His black happi is wrapped around his bulky frame like a dressing gown.’ ‘I held the phone in my hand

 again and let my spare one reach to my waist to fiddle with the material belt of my dressing gown.’ ‘Wouldn't it be nice if life consisted entirely of silk dressing gowns, champagne, and silver cocktail shakers?’ ‘She was wearing a gold dressing gown, with a blue sash at the waist, and pink slippers with pom-poms.’ ‘At the moment he was dressed in a pair of old slippers and a worn dressing gown, thrown over a set of striped flannel pyjamas.’ ‘But he was attention was caught by two figures in dressing gowns, hurrying towards the church, and he looked round, his heart pleased that someone had come.’ ‘There were people sitting out in their gardens in dressing gowns, drinking coffee and cheering us on.’ ‘An inquest in the city heard how she was wearing a red dressing gown and pyjamas with her arms folded neatly across her chest.’ ‘I sit up, my messy blonde hair falling everywhere and look around for my clothes, or a dressing gown, but I see nothing.’ ‘Pete slipped quietly out of bed, put on his dressing gown, and tip-toed into the bathroom.’ Synonyms Which is the correct spelling?

antibacterial Which is the correct spelling? anti-imperialist Which is the correct spelling? antifreeze Which is the correct spelling? anti-inflammatory Which is the correct spelling? antinatal Which is the correct spelling? anteoxidant Which is the correct spelling? anti-ageing Which is the correct spelling? anteterror Which is the correct spelling? antidote Which is the correct spelling? anti-racism You scored /10 practise again? Retry

Question: What eight letter word do americans use to call what we British call a dressing gown?
Answer: BATHROBE