# I need a crash course in Canadianness **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 2, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418 "2024-06-02T18:58:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/41 "2024-06-03T01:41:35Z")
That one, I actually learned 20 years ago from a Canadian client. He was an Anglophone with a Francophone ex-wife who loved to explain to me exactly why he never intended to get married again…which was a tad awkward because they both worked for the same company, which meant I did both of their work visas! ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/42 "2024-06-03T01:55:13Z")
Ha, yes, it’s all in good fun! I just couldn’t help but laugh as I scrolled, because it just fit the stereotype type so well! Like Sports news, where we learn how many bowel movements Austin Matthews had today, what William Nylander binge-watched on Netflix, the 18th string goalie’s golf handicap and, maybe, after the break, last night’s playoff game scores involving other teams! There’s a lot I like about Toronto, and I lived in Ontario for several years, but Montreal is home and therefore much, much better by default 🙂 I’ve had the opportunity to visit CAE during an open house event. Amazing stuff and yes, amazing video games! I know people who work there and it’s actually one of their challenges in hiring, because they don’t draw from the same talent pool as Bombardier and Airbus, but rather Ubisoft and other game companies in Montreal! ---
**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:** [June 3, 2024, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/43 "2024-06-03T03:08:24Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > And @Spoons. > > Next to my son-in-law and the father of my grandchildren, my nearest and dearest Canadian friend. Plus he is a cat person, _creme de la creme_ of bipeds. Thank you, **Boo**. That’s quite the honour! (Note the Canadian spelling.) I know a number of Americans, and you’re right up there with the best of them in my book. As for the OP—gosh, I don’t know where to begin. I guess the Canada Guide, linked somewhere above, is a good place to start. I had a look, and it seems to be a good general overview. It doesn’t go into great detail about anything, but it does give enough info that a basic understanding can be gained. But because it does not go into details, I can see where questions would arise. I’d suggest having a look at the Guide, and ask more specific questions. I’m sure we’d all be happy to help. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/44 "2024-06-03T03:32:50Z")
Americans only know “Oh Canada.” when played at a hockey game. Canadians can go as far as “Oh Canada. My home and native land.” before they have to start faking their singing like a Methodist at Sunday Service. ---
**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:** [June 3, 2024, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/45 "2024-06-03T03:54:56Z")
Well, if they stopped changing the words every few years, maybe we wouldn’t have to. “Aw, crap, it’s the national anthem. What are the words to use this week?” ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/46 "2024-06-03T04:38:45Z")
Regarding spelling, I’ve heard Canadians say that the American spelling of honor, color, valor etc. looks wrong to them, and that their spelling of honour, colour, valour is the correct way. One difference I’ve noted on trips to Canada (2-4 times a year for the past 25 years) is the prevalence of names acknowledging British rule, like Royal Bank, Toronto Dominion Bank, Queen Elizabeth 2 Highway, King Edward Street, and so on. And the Loyalist Parkway in Ontario and other places with that name celebrate the American colonists who remained loyal to Britain. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/47 "2024-06-03T04:50:31Z")
It is true, and a strength, that the guide covers most things (eg: archaic money, electricity needs, all the PMs, October crisis, current controversies in procurement or media) succinctly. And that it has a thousand links to most subjects giving more details. I have only stumbled in the site today but the few links I’ve explored seem well chosen. And the site has fun trivia, nice graphics and is readable without being overly simple or pompous. I certainly don’t know everything they discuss (eg: year Canada joined every international organization) and I am both a Canadiana and a history buff. How many people outside medicine know Canada has the highest worldwide incidence of multiple sclerosis? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/48 "2024-06-03T06:59:13Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I visited Montreal decades ago (1976, to be exact) Wee you there for the Olympics? ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/49 "2024-06-03T08:46:29Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > When someone says “a boot” they are not talking footwear. They are talking “about” something, they just can’t make the right noises. My British ears hear it as “a boat”. I also remember meeting someone from Chatham (Ontario) with a very recognisable Canadian accent, who spoke one word a second. But that may have been a personal thing. (And school-taught French will on occasion struggle to cope with Quebecois). ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/50 "2024-06-03T14:51:54Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > ‘a boot’ and ‘about’ are not homophones in the Canadian dialect, despite the apparent inability of Americans to hear the difference. Exactly. And for Americans: say “about” as you normally would, but on the second syllable, instead of spreading your lips, hold them like you’re saying “ooot” (but say it “out”). That’ll get you pretty close to a Canadian pronuciation. ---
**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:** [June 3, 2024, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/51 "2024-06-03T15:04:37Z")
And for Canadians who don’t hear the difference between how they say ‘about’ vs how Americans say ‘about’, think about the words ‘loud’ and ‘lout’. Two different dipthongs, for Canadians. Americans use the vowel sound in the Canadian ‘loud’ for both. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/52 "2024-06-03T15:22:38Z")
Everything I need to know about Canada I’ve learned from the excellent documentaries “Trailer Park Boys” (Netflix) and “Letterkenny” (Hulu). There’s also “Shoresy” but that’s mostly about senior whaleshit hockey. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/53 "2024-06-03T15:59:00Z")
The problem is that isn’t quite _everything_ to know about Canada. Maybe half? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2024, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/54 "2024-06-03T16:18:56Z")
> > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > Q: What about the last letter of the alphabet? > > > > A: It’s “zed”, of course. Rhymes with “red”. > > Didn’t Terence Stamp play Zed in that old Superman movie??? No, but Sean Connery played Zed in the execrable _Zardoz._ > [@Gatopescado](#): > > Start listening to Rush. > [@FordPrefect](#): > > Then start listening to the Hip > [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Followed by Great Big Sea. I thought Stan Rogers was _de rigueur_ ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/55 "2024-06-04T00:39:34Z")
For our grandparents 🙂 Since I am back, though, following Great Big Sea with Matthew Good Band. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/56 "2024-06-04T01:06:21Z")
Sadly, Stan’s been dead for 41 years. Died in the Air Canada flight that caught on fire in Cincinnati in 1983. He was only 33. Doubtful that today’s kids would know who he was. ---
**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:** [June 4, 2024, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/57 "2024-06-04T01:47:37Z")
House hippos, ketchup potato chips, poutine, maple syrup (although it’s _so_ American, too, I don’t know why they claim this), War of 1812, the USA sucks except for all of its awesomeness, Nanaimo bars, Chesterfields ain’t cigarettes, hydro, Montreal 1976 (yeah, they still think it’s important), and an international bridge named for Gordie Howe (which is entirely freaking awesome and they’re footing 100% of the bill!). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/58 "2024-06-04T01:52:57Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > I visited Montreal decades ago (1976, to be exact) > > Wee you there for the Olympics? Actually, yes, but that wasn’t planned. We just happened to be there. And then we tried to get tickets to see _something_. Tickets for women’s gymnastics were going for $400 from scalpers so we ended up watching judo, which we had zero interest in. Somewhere in my mother’s house is a little wooden beaver, which was part of an Olympic pin we bought. (There’s apparently a long-standing [tradition](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-sport-of-olympic-pin-trading/) of Olympic pins, and people get into trading for ones from other nations, or previous games.) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/59 "2024-06-04T02:57:55Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Somewhere in my mother’s house is a little wooden beaver… I laughed, Eh? Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418/60 "2024-06-04T03:02:37Z")
After learning of your Canadian heritage, you may develop an increased urge to crush people’s heads. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-crash-course-in-canadianness/1002418.md?page=4)