# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/101 "2017-04-06T19:45:13Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > There are 36,000,000 people in Canada and not one of them says “Bi and bi” to mean this. It would be meaningless to a Canadian today, since the country doesn’t call itself “bicultural” and hasn’t for two generations. You don’t refer to the 1963 Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism so frequently that you use a shortened form? \<---- THE BORDER IS THAT WAY BUDDY GIT OUT ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/102 "2017-04-06T19:47:07Z")
> [@K364](#): > > In B.C. and Ontario but definitely not on the Prairies. Not sure about the Maritimes but I’m doubtful. Aye. I grew up in Edmonton and moved to Ontario as an adult. I thought I was the smartest person in the room when I said ‘actually, “hydro” means water. Are you referring to your _water_ bill?’ ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/103 "2017-04-06T20:30:17Z")
In Ontario, water and electric come on the same bill though. ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/104 "2017-04-06T20:45:19Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > In Ontario, water and electric come on the same bill though. 😕 How do you guys do it in London? My water is provided by the city, and the electricity is provided by a private company. ---
**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 6, 2017, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/105 "2017-04-06T20:53:42Z")
Do you guys still have those silly flashing green traffic lights? ---
**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 6, 2017, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/106 "2017-04-06T21:49:25Z")
> [@K364](#): > > In B.C. and Ontario but definitely not on the Prairies. Not sure about the Maritimes but I’m doubtful. I can’t speak for all the maritimes, but this Bluenoser has never used that term before (our provincial electricity is monopolized by the crooks at NSPower). ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/107 "2017-04-06T22:16:13Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > In Ontario, water and electric come on the same bill though. What? Maybe in London. Nowhere else that I’m aware of. Sent from my adequate mobile device using Tapatalk. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/108 "2017-04-06T22:31:34Z")
> [@K364](#): > > In B.C. and Ontario but definitely not on the Prairies. Not sure about the Maritimes but I’m doubtful. I think you may be mistaken about that… [Manitoba Hydro](http://www.hydro.mb.ca/). There are definitely some more archaic -isms in the link I posted, I didn’t parse them all but just copied off the link. I’m pretty sure power toboggan is Canadian. ---
**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 6, 2017, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/109 "2017-04-06T22:38:58Z")
By the way, [poutine seems to be catching on in Seattle](http://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/poutine-is-the-new-nachos-where-to-find-the-best-versions-in-the-seattle-area/), but you can expect them to be tarting it up in twisted ways. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/110 "2017-04-06T23:26:24Z")
Huh, who knew? I stand corrected! I thought all of Ontario got their electric and water on the same bill, but I guess it’s just here in London. Learn something new everyday! Thanks for setting me straight. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/111 "2017-04-06T23:33:06Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Do you guys still have those silly flashing green traffic lights? No. Green arrows for advanced green for quite a while now: maybe a decade or two. I barely remember the flashing green, but it was completely effective. Sent from my adequate mobile device using Tapatalk. ---
**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 7, 2017, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/112 "2017-04-07T06:11:12Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > There are 36,000,000 people in Canada and not one of them says “Bi and bi” to mean this. It would be meaningless to a Canadian today, since the country doesn’t call itself “bicultural” and hasn’t for two generations. I have to agree with **RickJay**. I’ll add that I’m old enough to remember when federal Canada spoke English only. I heard about official bilingualism when it happened, but I never heard the term “bi and bi,” then or now. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/113 "2017-04-07T11:41:32Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Also, Canadians usually call things like Kit Kats and Mars bars “chocolate bars.” Americans tend to call it them “candy bars.” Just last night at Home Depot, I told the clerk, “One second; I’m going to grab a chocolate bar.” And then I asked myself why I said that, because it seems kind of strange in Michigan. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/114 "2017-04-07T12:01:44Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > In Ontario, water and electric come on the same bill though. What!? Not anywhere I’ve lived. I pay the City for water, the hydro company for electricity, and the gas company for gas. …although I do have a gas hot water heater which I rent from the hydro company!? We use “by-and-by” (eventually) but I’ve never heard anyone use “bi-and-bi” as the OP defines it either. > [@Leaffan](#): > > No. Green arrows for advanced green for quite a while now: maybe a decade or two. I barely remember the flashing green, but it was completely effective. > > Sent from my adequate mobile device using Tapatalk. Actually, I think you may still find them in some areas, I went through one not too long ago but can’t remember where exactly. I even though to my self “WOW, you don’t see those anymore” ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/115 "2017-04-07T14:38:21Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Huh, who knew? I stand corrected! I thought all of Ontario got their electric and water on the same bill, but I guess it’s just here in London. > > Learn something new everyday! Thanks for setting me straight. It may not last forever in London, anyway. London Hydro is for sale - it has been, on and off, for years - and if bought by another player, the electricity and water services would likely be divorced. There’s also talk of a merger with St. Thomas Energy, would could also change things. The smaller electricity providers are being gobbled up. Woodstock Hydro, not far from you, was eaten by Hydro One, to the likely detriment of its hapless customers. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/116 "2017-04-07T16:19:00Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > By the way, [poutine seems to be catching on in Seattle](http://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/poutine-is-the-new-nachos-where-to-find-the-best-versions-in-the-seattle-area/), but you can expect them to be tarting it up in twisted ways. Because the Canadians wouldnt, eh?😛 Le Cellier Signature Poutine Fresh-cut French Fries, Canadian Cheddar, Truffles, Red Wine Reduction > **[Dining Menu](https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/le-cellier-steakhouse/menus/dinner/)** and it is delicious. \*Beyond \*delicious. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/117 "2017-04-07T17:27:06Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Because the Canadians wouldnt, eh?😛 > > Le Cellier Signature Poutine > Fresh-cut French Fries, Canadian Cheddar, Truffles, Red Wine Reduction > > [Dining Menu](https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/le-cellier-steakhouse/menus/dinner/) > > and it is delicious. \*Beyond \*delicious. I missed my chance to try poutine on a trip through the Maritimes and have only had it once, at a crepe place here. What/where is the quintessential poutine I should try some day? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/118 "2017-04-07T17:37:51Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > I missed my chance to try poutine on a trip through the Maritimes and have only had it once, at a crepe place here. What/where is the quintessential poutine I should try some day? That’s like asking What/where is the quintessential chili fries or garlic fries. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/119 "2017-04-07T18:37:07Z")
> [@rjk](#): > > Tronna, Taranna, Chrahnnuh - no matter, maybe just regional variations. The important thing is that the last ‘T’ has disappeared. I find this is incredibly overblown. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard the following: “You can always tell a real resident of CITYNAME because they don’t pronounce it CITYNAME, they pronounce it CITYNAME-SLIGHTY-SLURRED!” Yeah, right. ---
**Author:** ![apollonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@apollonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apollonia)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368/120 "2017-04-07T20:15:57Z")
Poutine is intended to be made with cheese curds over fries with a brown gravy. Melted hunks of cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, whatever) make it into cheese fries with gravy. It’s best found at chip wagons, diners, or other non-classy establishments. Generally the more elaborate and fancy the restaurant and preparation, the further it is from classic poutine. Ideally eaten at 2am after a night of debauchery. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadianisms/783368.md?page=7)