# Canadianisms! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 30, 2017, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368 "2017-03-30T19:26:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/41 "2017-03-31T21:41:03Z")
> [@Tapiotar](#): > > Wait, wait, people have been drinking that here in the US for ages. Didn’t know the name of it, but people have been drinking it. I thought that the only reason people bought Clamato, universally always available in grocery stores, for that purpose. > > Snotser is a pretty good name, though. > [@Tapiotar](#): > > Didn’t think these were Canadianisms, but standard terms in all maple sugar country, such as Upstate New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, etc. I’ve known them all my life. HOCKEY! Say “Americans do it too”, and the gloves come off. :mad: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/42 "2017-03-31T22:43:09Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > TuqueToque is when you claim the person’s argument is wrong because he’s wearing a funny hat. For the win, eh?! Hydro is also common in BC. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/43 "2017-04-01T00:37:43Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > My daughter came home from a TO visit with tales of poutine. Bleah. Don’t ever use Toronto and poutine in the same sentence! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/44 "2017-04-01T00:49:59Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > \You sound suspiciously like you’re from out East…like Ontario…:dubious:😃 Bite yer tongue Calgarian. I am Winnipeg born and bred and currently residing in Edmonton. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/45 "2017-04-01T01:01:47Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > Caesars are catching on everywhere. > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > The Caesar is pretty well known in the US by reputation, but fewer people have tried it. [Clamato-based drinks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelada) are fairly common, particularly in areas with higher Mexican populations. My comment was based on recollections of direct experiences like these: \*Scene: An American restaurant. I and some others are sitting down for dinner. A waitperson enters.\* Waitperson: Can I get you a drink before dinner? Me: Yes, I’d like a Caesar, please. Waitperson: [Looks at me in complete bewilderment, like I’d just asked for a flask of Elixir of Dragon’s Breath.] Me: Just bring me a Bloody Mary. ---
**Author:** ![Timchik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@Timchik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timchik)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/46 "2017-04-01T05:25:42Z")
For a primer on Canadianisms (rural Ontario version), [Letterkenny](https://www.youtube.com/user/PlayFunGamesPictures/videos) is essential. Pitter-patter, let’s get at 'er… ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/47 "2017-04-01T05:36:07Z")
Some of these are very regional while others are more widespread. 1. **DONAIR** - donairs can be found throughout Canada, but they are UBIQUITOUS to the city of Halifax; seriously, almost every goodamned shop sells them and their variants (Donair Pizza). To non-Haligonians it can be confused with a doner (its turkish-origin progenitor) but you can always identify a Donair from its particular type of sauce (a sweeten condensed milk mixture), meat (roasted lamb), and toppings (always diced tomatoes and onions). 2. AND 5. **KITCHEN PARTY** AND **KITCHEN RACKET** - While I haven’t heard of a “Kitchen Racket” “Kitchen Party” is famously used throughout the maritimes. “ **Scribbler** ” - a [Hilroy Exercise Book](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71TsnwP8N0L._SL1500_.jpg); is another notable one, as I just learned that this, too, is a regionalism. Most people outside of the maritimes just call them “notebooks.” ☹ My favourite Canadianism is a, mostly, hockey term. “ **to deke** ” - verb, outmanoeuvre. If you grew up in Canada, you will know what “dekeing someone out” means. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/48 "2017-04-01T12:14:23Z")
“Forecheck, back check, paycheque!” ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/49 "2017-04-01T12:33:45Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > HOCKEY! > > Say “Americans do it too”, and the gloves come off. :mad: > > 😉 Oh, sorry. :o But the history of maple sugaring in North America goes back to before there was a US or a Canada as political entities. Just consulted a history of maple syrup, and sugar shacks and sugar houses came into use in 1850, but it doesn’t say where it originated. I’m sure I could find out more, if I wanted to research more, but I don’t. I will bow to the greater importance of the maple syrup industry in Canada, and the likelihood that the climate will stay favorable to maple trees longer up north than it will here. I would never question the sanctity of the Canadian origin of hockey or hockey terms whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/50 "2017-04-01T12:37:20Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Rec Centre > [@Drummond\_Bays](#): > > Twenny. > … > [@Sparky812](#): > > … > … > Smokes/… - cigarettes > … > [@QuickSilver](#): > > … > Shack Up - actually this is a possible result of extended succession of nookie. To live together before or instead of being married. These are all used in the US as well. “Twenny” in fact seems to be the standard US pronunciation of 20 as well. T-dropping is a [well known feature of North American English in general](http://www.confidentvoice.com/blog/the-dropped-t-sound/). Meet me up at the Rec Cenner on the moun’ntop, we are going to have a celebration of the twennieth anniversary of high speed innernet access. There will be plenny of beer. Hurry up, winner is coming! > [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > My daughter came home from a TO visit with tales of poutine. Bleah. I had the most awful poutine I can imagine on PEI. I can still taste it. Beautiful island, poor taste in food. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/51 "2017-04-01T18:29:50Z")
> [@Tapiotar](#): > > Didn’t think these were Canadianisms, but standard terms in all maple sugar country, such as Upstate New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, etc. I’ve known them all my life. I tend to hear “sugar house” more than sugar shack. Even when the sugar house is actually an old school bus 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/52 "2017-04-01T21:09:53Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > My comment was based on recollections of direct experiences like these: > > \ > > Me: Just bring me a Bloody Mary. I’ve had sort of the opposite happen in Canada, when I’ve asked for a Bloody Mary. They think I really mean a Caesar, so they bring one. Problem is, I can’t stand Caesars. I’ve given up trying to get a Bloody Mary in Canada, unless I make them myself, at home. ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/53 "2017-04-02T05:15:10Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > US ounces are **bigger** than Imperial ounces, by about 4% (29.57 vs 28.41 mL). But US pints/gallons/etc. are smaller, because there are fewer (16 US oz vs 20 Imp oz per pint, 128 vs 160 per gallon). > Therefore the 26 is just another name for the standard US liquor size, which is 750 mL or 25.36 US oz, and most commonly called a “fifth.” The larger size of US liquor (“handle”) is 1.75 mL or 61.6 Imp oz. > \ Mea culpa! Just shows that I need to think first, _then_ post. “Hydro” is also common on the West coast. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/54 "2017-04-02T05:19:55Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > “ **Scribbler** ” - a [Hilroy Exercise Book](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71TsnwP8N0L._SL1500_.jpg); is another notable one, as I just learned that this, too, is a regionalism. Most people outside of the maritimes just call them “notebooks.” ☹ No, kids in Alberta used scribblers too. The region must be pretty big. ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/55 "2017-04-02T05:52:00Z")
> [@The\_Tooth](#): > > No, kids in Alberta used scribblers too. The region must be pretty big. Saskatchewan, as well. I don’t think anyone has mentioned it, but **robert\_columbia** ’s mention of T-dropping applies to “TO” (the city mentioned above) as well: more formally, it’s pronounced “Tronna”. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/56 "2017-04-02T06:05:23Z")
In TBay the friends of a couple will sell tickets to the couple’s public shag. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/57 "2017-04-02T06:12:29Z")
I suspect that Americans who have not been to Canada who be clueless as to what “toonie” means. When they find out, their reaction would almost certainly be _what the fuck is wrong with you people‽‽‽_ ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/58 "2017-04-02T06:58:25Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I suspect that Americans who have not been to Canada who be clueless as to what “toonie” means. When they find out, their reaction would almost certainly be _what the fuck is wrong with you people‽‽‽_ The answer to that really ought to be a resident of Saskatoon. It isn’t, somewhat unfortunately, but it ought to be. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/59 "2017-04-02T07:02:55Z")
> [@rjk](#): > > Mea culpa! Just shows that I need to think first, _then_ post. > > “Hydro” is also common on the West coast. Might be right, does BC also say homo milk or is that a Toronto thing? I remember Albertans or Saskatchewan…ers being mystified by one of those two. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/60 "2017-04-02T18:04:21Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > In TBay the friends of a couple will sell tickets to the couple’s public shag. I had to look that up, and let me tell you the initial Google results were not illuminating. Entertaining, but not illuminating. Eventually I found the disappointing truth. Apparently a _shag_ in this sense is a combination bridal shower and stag party. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368.md?page=4)