We all know Canadians speak English (and quite a bit of French), but there are certain turns of phrase that are uniquely their own.
Arseuver and Headuver. Newfoundland slang for sitting in the back (arseuver) or the front (headuver), especially of a boat.
Ballicatter. In Newfoundland, this is ice that forms along a shore from waves and spray.
Bluenoser. A nickname for a resident of Newfoundland, originally used to describe sailors who were out in the cold until their noses turned blue.
Boonie-bouncing. Going through the woods or logging roads for fun on sport bikes, motorbikes, ATVs, or trucks.
Booter. When you step in a puddle deep enough to soak your foot.
Bunnyhug. A hooded sweatshirt, Saskatchewan.
Coastie. A person from Vancouver with an urban attitude and style of dress—not usually used as a compliment.
Cod choker (or cod chucker). A resident of New Brunswick, based on the area’s fishing heritage.
Far as ever a puffin flew. Newfoundland and Labrador contains 95 per cent of the Atlantic Puffins in North America. If a Newfoundlander says that a friend has gone far as ever a puffin flew, well, then they are long gone from those parts.
Hoser. The term comes from hockey. Hosers are players that had to hose down the ice after their team was defeated. This clearly comes from the pre-Zamboni days. Calling someone a hoser is the same as calling them a loser, or worse.
Kastaveup. An accident. The term is used in southwestern Nova Scotia.
Lewer day. A day of bad weather when the fishermen stay in, peculiar to southwestern Nova Scotia. What do they do? Work on their lures.
Survey says: 1 in 10 Canadians have had sex in a canoe.
Long may your big jib draw. An old Newfoundlander expression that means, “May the wind always be in your forward sails.” It’s often used as a toast. There’s a longer version that goes: “Deed I is me ol’ cock, and long may your big jib draw.” The first part of the phrase means, “Yes, I am an old friend.”
Making puppies/screwing the pooch. Someone is sitting around doing nothing, or they are slacking off at work. There is a less...dignified expression that is also used, but these two are the printable ones. While originally a military expression, it is quite popular in many Canadian regions and in both French and English.
May 2-4. Of course there is also Victory Day—Queen Victoria’s Birthday holiday—also known as May 2-4. Apparently the 2-4 refers more to the 2-4 packs of beer consumed over the holiday weekend than Victoria’s date of birth.
Muskoka chair. Large, usually wooden deckchair. The equivalent of an Adirondack chair in the United States. It was named after the town of Muskoka, Ontario.
Sook or sookie. A Newfoundlander term for a weak, self-pitying person; a person who won’t go along, especially out of spite; or a crybaby or sore loser. It can also be a term of endearment for pets or children who are extremely affectionate.
Snye. A side-water channel that rejoins a larger river, creating an island.
Tumbler turkeys. Ravens (or crows) found in or around Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
Tunk. Knock. Used in southwestern Nova Scotia.
Whadda’yat?. Newfoundlander term meaning, “What are you doing?”
THAT’S NOT VERY NICE
“The beaver, which has come to represent Canada as the eagle does the United States and the lion Britain, is a flat-tailed, slow-witted, toothy rodent known to bite off its own testicles or to stand under its own falling trees.”
—June Callwood
Shania Twain is named for the Ojibway expression “I’m on my way.”