Master These Popular Canadian Phrases to Wow Locals

Did you know that the beaver serves as Canada’s national symbol and has inspired a beloved dessert? Additionally, one Canadian province shares a name that might remind you of two well-known dog breeds. Plus, familiarizing yourself with “Larry and Rodger” could be your secret to never getting lost!

At LingualNeeds, we have compiled an extensive collection of Canadian expressions, featuring popular phrases related to food, drinks, social outings, travel, and everyday objects. We also delve into regional variations of Canadian sayings, highlighting how language can vary across the country. So, dive in and explore – and if you’re curious about the phrase “fill your boots,” keep reading to discover its meaning!

The most common Canadian sayings

If you’re taking online English lessons with a Canadian tutor, we’ve compiled a list of popular Canadian expressions categorized for your convenience. This resource will enhance your understanding of both your tutor and the rich tapestry of Canadian culture. Just remember, some slang can differ across regions!

Food and drink

• Pop: A name for soda also used in the Midwestern United States.

At Shirley’s restaurant, the options for pop are Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Sprite.

• Two-four: A case of twenty-four beers.

With a dozen guests expected at the party, Jack plans to grab a 24-pack of drinks from the liquor store on his way.

• Timbits: Popular donut holes sold at Tim Hortons, the national coffee chain.

Timbits are a popular coffee break snack because they’re as sweet as doughnuts but not as large.

• Double-double: A common coffee order, meaning double cream and double sugar.

“I’m going to need some extra energy today, so I’ll order a double-double at Tim Hortons.”

• Freezie: A frozen snack in a tube, similar to an Otter Pop in the United States.

In the summer, freezies of various flavors are an affordable, fun way to keep children cool.

• Jambuster: A big, jam-filled donut.

When Shelly places her order for a dozen doughnuts at Tim Horton’s, she never forgets to include at least four delicious jambusters, ensuring her strawberry-loving coworkers get a sweet treat they’ll adore.

• KD: Kraft Dinner, a brand of premade macaroni and cheese.

Rashiv is feeling lazy tonight, so he’s going to pop a KD on the stove.

• Beaver tail: A snack made from fried dough covered in toppings, which references the beaver as the emblem of Canada.

While Americans often indulge in funnel cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries at fairs, Canadians savor a delicious beaver tail slathered in Nutella.

• Caesar: An alcoholic beverage made of tomato juice, hot sauce, Worchester sauce, and vodka.

While at a bar in the States, I decided to order a Caesar salad. However, I was informed that I would need to head to the restaurant to get one.

• Molson muscle: A Canadian saying for a beer belly, which comes from the popular Molson beer brand.

You have to be careful about consuming beer as you age; it’s all too easy to get a Molson muscle.

Places and traveling

• Clicks: Canadian slang for kilometers.

The family’s cottage was over 40 clicks outside of Toronto, so they left early in the morning to avoid traffic.

• Hang a Larry: To turn left (Larry, as in left).

“After you see the Sobeys, hang a Larry to get to my house.”

• Hang a Rodger: To turn right (Rodger, as in right).

If you hang a Rodger four times in a row, you’ll end up in the same place.

• Parkade: A multilevel parking garage.

In bustling cities like Vancouver and Toronto, parkades have become essential for safeguarding a multitude of vehicles from harsh winter conditions, including snow and ice.

• Washroom: The Canadian word for restroom.

If you want to use the washroom in a restaurant or café, ask your waitress politely how to find it.

• Dep: A convenience store.

Sarah ran to the dep to get some Gatorade and a new battery for her alarm clock.

• The Rock: A fond term for the Newfoundland region due to its rocky cliffside.

In the United States, “The Rock” is widely recognized as the ring name of wrestler Dwayne Johnson. However, in Canada, the term has a different meaning—it affectionately refers to the province of Newfoundland.

• Cowtown: Slang for Calgary, Alberta.

I dream of embarking on an unforgettable road trip from The Rock to Cowtown, a journey that I anticipate will take more than two weeks.

• The 6ix: A contemporary term for the Greater Toronto Area, popularized by Drake, representing the city’s six boroughs.

Darrell grew up in the 6ix, so he’s pretty used to bad traffic.

• GTA: Greater Toronto Area.

Before the 6ix, the boroughs outside of Toronto were simply known as the GTA.

• Halifornia: A nickname for Halifax, which is sometimes abbreviated as Hali.

Aditya hails from Hali, a coastal town where water views are a part of daily life. Being landlocked feels foreign to him, and he often longs for the familiar sight of boat ports that remind him of home.

• The Big Smoke: Toronto’s nickname, also referred to as Hog Town due to its historic peameal bacon processing plants, and commonly abbreviated as T.O.

With a population nearing three million, Toronto is often dubbed “The Big Smoke.” This nickname originated from an Australian writer’s view that the city fell short of its grand reputation.

Common items

• Darts: An alternative word for cigarettes.

Blair shared a dart with a stranger outside of the bar.

• Toque: A beanie worn in cold weather, often when skiing.

The effectiveness of your headwear in retaining heat may be up for debate, but when it comes to enjoying winter sports, wearing a well-fitted hat is crucial for staying warm and comfortable.

• Runners: Another word for running shoes.

After Li trained for a marathon last year, their runners were all worn out.

• Joggers: An alternate slang for running shoes.

I bought a brand-new pair of joggers for each of my children to celebrate the start of the school year.

• Chesterfield: An old-fashioned term for a sofa.

When your grandma welcomes you into her cozy apartment, she might settle you onto her comfy chesterfield and treat you to some delicious Peek Freans cookies.

• Serviette: The French term for “napkin,” widely recognized by Canadians thanks to the influence of French in Quebec.

The waiter returned with extra serviettes after the children got ketchup all over their faces.

• Loonie and toonie: One- and two-dollar Canadian coins.

When it comes to tipping your barista, consider using a loonie or a toonie, based on the price of your coffee and your generosity that day. A loonie, worth one dollar, is great for smaller purchases, while a toonie, at two dollars, is perfect if you want to express a bit more appreciation for their service.

• Hydro: An electric bill from the power company (which is a hydraulic electric company).

Bill tries to use less AC to keep down the hydro bill in the summer.

• Muskoka chair: A chair for outdoor use, known as an Adirondack chair in the United States.

Because we wanted seating on the outdoor deck, we bought a few Muskoka chairs to enjoy the sunset in the summertime.

• Pencil crayons: The Canadian saying for colored pencils.

Every elementary school student will be provided with a full case of pencil crayons on the first day of school.

Conversation

• Eh?: An almost reflective vocal tic for Canadians that is somewhat equivalent to “you know?” or “right?”

“The weather is a downright beauty, eh?” Johnny said to the taxi driver.

• Fill Your Boots: A common expression encouraging someone to proceed freely or “go right ahead.”

When Phyllis inquired about snagging a piece of candy from the receptionist’s desk, the receptionist cheerfully responded, “Absolutely, go ahead and help yourself!”

• Give’er: A way to encourage someone to try their best.

Whenever Willow has a tough test coming up at school, his grandpa often tells him, “Give’er!”

• Chirping: Trash talk or mocking an opposing team.

Jason loves attending hockey games with Fernando, but he finds it challenging to enjoy the experience because Fernando can’t stop talking throughout the match. Jason feels that this constant chatter detracts from the spirit of good sportsmanship.

• Jesus Murphy: A tamer way of expressing emotion (instead of using “Jesus Christ”).

When Sasha saw the car come flying down the freeway at 150 km an hour, she exclaimed, “Jesus Murphy!”

• Skookum: Regionally specific dialogue from British Columbia that refers to anything fantastic.

Ellen is thrilled that her family chose to vacation in Argentina this summer, as it’s a dream destination for her in South America.

• That’s jokes: A Canadian expression to use when you think something is funny, possibly used in sarcasm.

When someone told Derek that his office would no longer provide free coffee, he responded, “That’s jokes!”

• Zed: A Canadian way of saying ‘z’ and one example of how Canadians often use British English.

There are only a few children with a last name that starts with zed on the school roster.

People

• Canuck: A Canadian.

We Canucks love hockey and each support our teams with pride. Go Maple Leafs!

• Keener: Someone who is eager to please (the equivalent in the United States would be a brownnoser).

The new employee Deandre is a keener, but he does his job well, so people don’t mind.

• Puck bunny: A hockey fan.

Cherry identifies as a puck bunny; she’s always going to hockey games in full-on fan gear.

• Rink rat: Someone who spends all their time at the hockey rink.

Since Fiona’s son took up hockey, she has eagerly embraced her role as a devoted spectator, attending his daily practices. She’s truly become a fixture at the rink!

• Kerfuffle: A disagreement ranging from a mild to a full-out fight.

Eloise and Mikayla got into a kerfuffle after neither wanted to give up their spot at the front of the line.

• Blochead: Someone who speaks English exclusively.

Blocheads aren’t very welcome in Montreal, where most people speak Canadian French as their first language.

• Caper: Someone from the Nova Scotia town of Cape Breton.

“I’m a Caper, so I’m used to cold, windy weather.”

• Newfie: Someone from Newfoundland (in the United States, this term usually refers exclusively to dogs of a certain breed).

Even though I grew up in Cowtown, I was born in Rocky Harbour. That makes me a Newfie at heart.

• Grit: A member of the Liberal party in Canada.

Justin Trudeau is the leader of the Grits and the current prime minister of Canada.

• Tory: A member of the Conservative party in Canada.

In Canada, the Grits and the Tories are the two dominant political parties and often clash over politics.

• Greasy: An untrustworthy person.

Jennifer says she hates going to the car dealership because the people there are greasy.

• Scivey: Another way to say greasy.

People who sell items on the black market usually have the reputation of being scivey.

• Snowbirds: People who go south for the winter.

After Fred’s parents retired, they bought a second home in Florida and became snowbirds.

• Sourdough: The opposite of a snowbird.

Mary and Darla are tough sourdoughs; they never leave the Yukon in the winter.

Going out and special events

• Out for a rip: Going out with your friends, whether driving or not.

Jan and Erica went out for a rip last night, so they’re pretty tired.

• Gong show: An event that doesn’t go according to plan but is at least memorable.

“That all-staff meeting was a total gong show; nobody had the slides to the presentation!”

• Canadian Tuxedo: When one wears denim on the top and bottom.

The Canadian Tuxedo used to be a popular look for celebrities in the early 2000s, when everything denim was trendy.

• Champagne birthday: A birthday where you turn the same age as the day you were born on.

Qi’s was born on October 15, so their champagne birthday is when they turn 15 years old.

• Deke: To avoid or leave, short for decoy.

Thomas deked out of meetings so many times that he was at risk of being fired.

Conclusion

Canada is rich in unique slang that often surprises new English learners. Phrases like “beaver tails” and “Timbits,” along with the frequent use of “Eh?” at the end of sentences, reflect the country’s vibrant culture, history, and values. These expressions offer a fascinating glimpse into what it means to be Canadian.

While Canadian English isn’t commonly taught in language schools or online courses, onLingualNeeds, you can easily find English tutors from Canada. If you’re planning to move to Canada or visit Toronto, consider scheduling sessions with a Canadian tutor. The LingualNeeds platform is available 24/7, allowing you to master the Canadian accent, understand the differences between US and Canadian English, and pick up popular Canadian phrases. Soon enough, you’ll be ordering coffee like a local and cheerfully chirping at the away team!