# Determining If Someone Is Canadian... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 21, 2014, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072 "2014-10-21T21:16:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2014, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/141 "2014-10-27T16:23:59Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > "We had to come in from camp to go to fed and Wilma’s shag. Please pick up a 2-4 of Crystal and a box of persians. Wilma’s cousins from Tarawna will be there and wants to try them. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/142 "2014-10-28T19:31:12Z")
> [@jsquire](#): > > If they reply with a string of profane epithets, they’re American hockey fans who live within transmission range of the border but who can no longer see HNIC on CBC because the Conservatives cut its funding. That would be people like me. I don’t think you get how it works, but CBC didn’t lose hockey because they lacked funding. Hockey made money for the CBC, and they did not need or receive funding to keep it. By all accounts, CBC entirely lost hockey because their executives just flat-out bungled the negotiations. You can found a thousand insider reports online and they all say the same thing; Lacroix et al. assumed they had a divine right to broadcast hockey and tried to dictate terms that seemed to be mired in the past, something that is pretty typical of CBC. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/143 "2014-10-28T19:32:27Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > I have no accent myself, but I delight in so many of the East Coast ones - Cape Breton, Newfoundland, PEI, love them all :). Unfortunately my speech is as flat as the city I was born in, Winnipeg. How can you speak and not have an accent? Only mute people don’t have accents. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/144 "2014-10-29T03:02:01Z")
Hush, RickJay is in denial. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/145 "2014-10-29T03:09:08Z")
Yeah, because there are accents in Sign too. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/146 "2014-10-29T14:27:33Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Sure way to tell who’s Canadian when you’re in a supermarket: The Canadians are the ones with twelve gallons of milk in their carts. Do you mean their Bellingham Costco cart? ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/147 "2014-10-29T23:51:30Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Yeah, because there are accents in Sign too. Localisms, rather. ---
**Author:** ![Daffyd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daffyd/32/8923_2.png) [@Daffyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daffyd)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/148 "2014-10-30T02:10:33Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > Localisms, rather. Actually, no, there are accents. African American signers sign differently than white signers, men sign differently from women, and, yes, there are regional signs… ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/149 "2014-10-30T13:38:25Z")
Ask them about grade school. If they say “When I was in Grade 8…” they’re Canadian, if they say “…Eighth Grade” they’re American. Likewise, ask about high school - if they say “When I was in Grade 9…” or Grade 10, 11, or 12 they’re Canadian, if they say “When I was a freshman…” or Sophomore, Junior, or Senior they’re American. (I don’t know about anybody else but I have never heard those terms used here.) ---
**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:** [October 30, 2014, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/150 "2014-10-30T13:57:50Z")
> [@Soylent\_Juicy](#): > > Ask them about grade school. If they say “When I was in Grade 8…” they’re Canadian, if they say “…Eighth Grade” they’re American. > > Likewise, ask about high school - if they say “When I was in Grade 9…” or Grade 10, 11, or 12 they’re Canadian, if they say “When I was a freshman…” or Sophomore, Junior, or Senior they’re American. > > (I don’t know about anybody else but I have never heard those terms used here.) Definitely not. I need to think about what they even mean when I hear them. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/151 "2014-10-30T14:22:19Z")
If you’re watching a TV show set in Kansas, and there are mountains in the distance? Those mountains are Canadian. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/152 "2014-10-30T15:04:52Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > If you’re watching a TV show set in Kansas, and there are mountains in the distance? Those mountains are Canadian. Austin Powers paraphrased: “You know what’s remarkable is how much England looks in no way like Southern California,” cue desert background. Or it doesn’t have to be Canada just the wrong place. Like movie Washington DC with skyscrapers (tallest non-monument [building](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_the_National_Shrine_of_the_Immaculate_Conception): 329ft/100m). Also skiing in Denmark. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/153 "2014-10-30T15:51:37Z")
> [@Soylent\_Juicy](#): > > Ask them about grade school. If they say “When I was in Grade 8…” they’re Canadian, if they say “…Eighth Grade” they’re American. > > Likewise, ask about high school - if they say “When I was in Grade 9…” or Grade 10, 11, or 12 they’re Canadian, if they say “When I was a freshman…” or Sophomore, Junior, or Senior they’re American. > > (I don’t know about anybody else but I have never heard those terms used here.) They also use grades 10, 11 and 12 in conjunction with sophomore etc in the US. At least where I was. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/154 "2014-10-30T16:49:26Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > That’s OK. Anyone who lives in a forest is allowed to wear their socks and their toque all the time all year around. Now I’m trying to picture what arrangement of socks and toques a naked man would be sporting. 😃 > [@Muffin](#): > > You see, **doorhinge** , we really do know how our healthcare is funded. If the USA signed on as a Canadian province, it too could have its healthcare funded. Why do you hate free healthcare? I wasn’t sure I’d get away with that, even as a joke. 🙂 > [@jsquire](#): > > Simple test: ask them who the Canadian PM is. > > If they reply “Stephen Harper”, they’re well-informed Americans. > > If they reply “Stephen Hareperrr”, they’re Canadian. From the Maritimes. > [@](#): > > If they reply with a string of profane epithets, they’re American hockey fans who live within transmission range of the border but who can no longer see HNIC on CBC because the Conservatives cut its funding. That would be people like me. The Canadians in the crowd know what HNIC is, even if they aren’t sports fans. > [@Spoons](#): > > So I have to learn to like poutine, Bloody Caesars, lacrosse, and the CBC; and avoid baseball, hot dogs, apple pies, and Chevrolets? > > Naw. Ain’t gonna happen. > > Hang on. Make that, “Ain’t gonna happen, _eh?_” > > Gotta retain _some_ Canuck cred. 😉 Well, you used “eh” correctly - you pass. > [@Soylent\_Juicy](#): > > Ask them about grade school. If they say “When I was in Grade 8…” they’re Canadian, if they say “…Eighth Grade” they’re American. > > Likewise, ask about high school - if they say “When I was in Grade 9…” or Grade 10, 11, or 12 they’re Canadian, if they say “When I was a freshman…” or Sophomore, Junior, or Senior they’re American. > > (I don’t know about anybody else but I have never heard those terms used here.) The Barenaked Ladies even have a song about it - “Grade 9.” > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Austin Powers paraphrased: “You know what’s remarkable is how much England looks in no way like Southern California,” cue desert background. > > Or it doesn’t have to be Canada just the wrong place. Like movie Washington DC with skyscrapers (tallest non-monument [building](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_the_National_Shrine_of_the_Immaculate_Conception): 329ft/100m). Also skiing in Denmark. We were watching “The Flash” last night, and noticed there was a Bay store in the background of the mall that is supposed to be in the US. Oops! ---
**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:** [October 30, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/155 "2014-10-30T17:35:02Z")
> [@Soylent\_Juicy](#): > > Ask them about grade school. If they say “When I was in Grade 8…” they’re Canadian, if they say “…Eighth Grade” they’re American. > > Likewise, ask about high school - if they say “When I was in Grade 9…” or Grade 10, 11, or 12 they’re Canadian, if they say “When I was a freshman…” or Sophomore, Junior, or Senior they’re American. > > (I don’t know about anybody else but I have never heard those terms used here.) Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior (along with “homecoming” and “varsity”) are phrases I know **solely** as stereotypical code words spoken in films about teenage kids from small town America (involved somehow in football). Now get out there, win it for the home team, and give 110% cuz Brad finally asked Sandy out to the prom and these are truly the best days of your lives! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/156 "2014-10-30T17:39:17Z")
I have a friend from Vancouver and the only way you would know he was Canadian is that he has a tendancy to say “eh?” when he’s had a bit too much beer. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/157 "2014-10-30T17:50:35Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > We were watching “The Flash” last night, and noticed there was a Bay store in the background of the mall that is supposed to be in the US. Oops! My favourite is still in “The Long Kiss Goodnight” (with Geena Davis) when they’re walking around “New Jersey” and there’s the big ole Honest Ed’s sign lit up in the background. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/158 "2014-10-30T17:52:31Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior (along with “homecoming” and “varsity”) are phrases I know **solely** as stereotypical code words spoken in films about teenage kids from small town America (involved somehow in football). Same with “Homecoming King” and “Homecoming Queen” - do those exist anywhere in Canada? ---
**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:** [October 31, 2014, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/159 "2014-10-31T01:41:40Z")
No homecoming, let alone a homecoming king or homecoming queen where I grew up in southern Ontario. There were varsity letters for high school athletes who played on a certain number of competitive teams, but sports were not a big deal as they are in the USA. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2014, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072/160 "2014-10-31T02:30:28Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > No homecoming, let alone a homecoming king or homecoming queen where I grew up in southern Ontario. > > There were varsity letters for high school athletes who played on a certain number of competitive teams, but sports were not a big deal as they are in the USA. High school sports are almost nonexistent. Sure, there’s a football team, and a basketball team, and a soccer team perhaps, but no one goes to the damned games. I remember being let out early on Fridays to attend football games in grade 12. There were like 200 people at the games. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-if-someone-is-canadian/702072.md?page=9)