Idioms/Slang

[IamInuit]

Newfoundland and Quebec are like two different countries. They both have their own dictionary. Parts of Nova Scotia also. Rich, rich Gaelic. There are 500 year old Scottish and Irish dialects and tongues spoken in NFLD and NS.

Anyway here is a few. Happy reading These are just some spoken West of Manitoba.

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Become familiar with following general terms:

Loonie - A common word for the Canadian one-dollar coin.

Toonie - A common word for the Canadian two-dollar coin, pronounced "too-nee."

Knapsack- Backpack or bookbag.

Giv’n her- an act carried out to it’s fullest potential. Short for “Given her hell.”

Garberator- Electric grinding device meant for the drain of a kitchen sink, to finely grind biodegradable substances, so they can be washed down the drain. Commonly referred to in the US as a "garbage disposal."

Kerfuffle - Similar to brouhaha; a chaotic situation which is usually negative in nature; a loud or heated dispute.

Keener- refers to an eager person who is “keen” to demonstrate knowledge in nerdy environments, such as work, school or church. Although a keener may be an obsessive ass-kisser, this doesn’t preclude him from partying. In fact, a keener often slaves over his homework, and then finds the time to be a keen boozer to boot. Nevertheless, the phrase “what a keener” is mostly used pejoratively when, let’s say, a colleague’s work ethic puts yours to shame.

Homo Milk - A commoner's slang for homogenized whole milk; 3% milk.

Beauty - An expression used to refer to something done well or someone who is exceptional. The vast majority of Canadians only know the term from the SCTV characters Bob and Doug, in a series of satirical sketch comedies entitled, "The Great White North."

Double-Double - Said when ordering a coffee; indicating two creams and two sugars.

Timmy's or Tim's or Timmy Ho's or Up the Horton's - Slang for Tim Horton's, a chain of doughnut and coffee shops named after a famous hockey player.

Brutal- Something excessively harsh or unfair. ex. "Oh man, that fall was brutal."

Serviette - A paper napkin. Not slang, simply 'napkin' in French.

Gorp - Trail mix, taken on hiking/camping trips. May include assorted nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit, Smarties or other candies. (used at least in BC)

Eh - (pronounced "ey", as in "hey" or "hay") A suffix some Canadians add to the ends of sentences, to ask for a response of agreement or disagreement, similar in meaning to "don't you think" or "right?"(Similar to the word "Huh?" Used in the states.) (eg. "Looks like a storm comin' in, eh?"). It is a way of being polite - to ensure that the other people in the conversation are feeling included. It is also sometimes used with "I know," as in, "Wow, the Calgary Flames really kicked butt tonight!" -"I know, eh?"

Two-Four - A blue-collar term for a case of twenty-four beers.

Fifty and Cinquante - Labatt 50, a Canadian brand of beer. Cinquante is fifty in French. This term is limited to frequent beer drinkers. Canadians who don't drink beer frequently would not know this "term" at all.

Mickey - A flask-sized bottle of hard liquor.

Toque - (pronounced "tuke," like Luke) A knit cap usually worn in winter. Known as a Ski Cap in the USA.

Toboggan - A long, typically wooden, sled, used in winter recreation, to carry one or more people down a snow-covered hill.

Klick- A slang term for "kilometer".

Hydro- A reference to electricity, not water. Synonymous with electrical service in provinces where most of the power is supplied through hydroelectricity. "The hydro is out," means there's no power, not that there's no water. This phrase extends to things like 'hydro poles,' 'hydro wires,' and having a 'hydro bill.'

Peameal or Back bacon - Bacon obtained from the flesh of the back of a pig, rather than the more common side bacon. It is pickled in brine and then rolled in cornmeal. Originally, peameal was used, but it was found to go rancid, so cornmeal was substituted. But the name "peameal" stuck. Referred to by Americans as 'Canadian Bacon'.

The States - The United States of America is often referred to as "the States," except in writing, when it becomes "the US."

Washroom - Refers to a place where one would find the toilet, sink, and bath tub.

Pop - Many Canadians use the term "pop" to describe sweet, carbonated beverages.(Soda in the states.)

Rattled - When someone is embarrassed or angry. A term hardly unique to Canada.

Snake - Someone who is unkind or does something in the interest of themselves. Portraying snake like qualities.

Chinook - (Pronounced "shinook" in some areas) A warm, dry wind blowing down the eastern slopes of the Rockies across Alberta and the prairies. Chinooks can cause the temperature to rise by 20°F to 40°F within 15 minutes.

Poutine - (pronounced poo-TIN) French fries served with cheese curds, and covered in gravy. Originated in Quebec but now prevalent across Canada.(Awesome delicious heart attack in a bowl. You aren't Canadian until you've played some hockey and stopped for some poutine and beer.)

Sook or sookie - Oftens means a weak, self-pitying person; a person who won't go along, especially out of spite; a crybaby or sore loser. Can also be a term of endearment for pets or children who are extremely affectionate. (Newfie term not used in rest of Canada unless used by Newfies.)

Beaver Tail - A pastry, most commonly sold by the chain Beaver Tail Canada Inc., indicating a flat, flaky, fried pastry in the general shape of a beaver's tail. It is often served with a variety of toppings: ice-cream, maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fruits. Originated in Ottawa.

Pencil Crayon - a coloured pencil

[Andre]

Aussie:

Grog or piss is alcohol.

Ya is you, like: good on ya mate.

Fanny is a vagina.

Thongs are footwear flipflops.

smoko is morning tea

Give us a tingle = give me a ring on the phone.

Howzitgarn is what you would hear but they are saying 'how is it going?' which equals goodday.

You right? Sometimes Implies they are fuckwit.

You right there? is for kind service.

ooroo or catch ya, is see ya later.

dunny is the shitter. Im off to the dunny.
wheres the dunny?

A pot is a mid size glass of beer down south.

Bundy. Aussie dark rum.

Anything you can shorten and put an O on the end or an ie on the end is usally used instead of the full word.
Ciggie =cigarette
Compo = workers compensation
The rellies are the relatives
garbo =garbage collector
deli = delicatessen
chewie= chewing gum
hottie= hot water bottle
footy =football Aussie rules
coldie =cold can of beer
sickie= sick leave
cracked a fat is a hard on.
cuppa= cup of tea or a coffee.
a slash = have a piss
back one out = a shit
a root = quick sex
polly=politician
sheila= woman old term unused these days in the cities, except for way in the outback by old guys.
mutt =dog
a buck = a dollar
red back= 20 dollars
blowie =blowfly
noah= shark.
flatty is a fish.
barrra is a fish
Flathead and barramundy. couta is short for a barracuda.
skip is the roo. kangaroo
waggin can be truant like waggin school or chin waggin=talkin.
joeys are snakes short for joe blake.
scrub is bush, scrubber is a whore.
"Oh goin get fucked "! Is a term of amazement.
"hey ya old cunt " can be a term of endearment.
the olds =the parents
the bus =the car,if theres no real bus around at the time.
dacks =trousers
dacking someone is sneaking up behind them and ripping their trousers down in public its getting rarer these days used to be a past time with the young.
Magies and black and white birds that have a go at your head for a couple of months of the year. magpies.
A Ute is a small pick up. short for utility.
divi van= police car, divisional van.
prang=an accident
tucker=food
clobber =clothing
rug up=dress for cold
cark it =die
bodgey=poor quality or bad work
crack onto=pick up a girl.
im crook = I feel sick.
A blue=a fight.
Bluey is someone with red hair.
buckleys =no hope in hell. as "yeah right, ya got fuckin buckleys ".
Mug or gob can be mouth,smack in the mug/gob.
Mug can be someone whos easily fooled:hes a mug.
nuts /balls
a splash=a surf or a swim
Arvo =later in the day.
Ron, later on
yonks =a long time ago.

[smashup]

So whats a Gallar ?

That guy off home and away years ago (the angry man who worked in the sandwich shop) Alf something used to always say to the naughty kids..... "rack off ya bloody gallars"

[Dark Lord Al]

So whats a Gallar ?

That guy off home and away years ago (the angry man who worked in the sandwich shop) Alf something used to always say to the naughty kids..... "rack off ya bloody gallars"

It is an Australian bird . The Galah , it has a red breast hence why Alf would say - " you great big flaming galah"

[Andre]

So whats a Gallar ?

That guy off home and away years ago (the angry man who worked in the sandwich shop) Alf something used to always say to the naughty kids..... "rack off ya bloody gallars"

Gullah is the most stupid loud bird that comes around and wakes you up it does its own thing with no regard for anyone else, they also copy what you say they are mimics like a cocky except they are grey and pink.

Sort of on par with many young fellas actions and brain activity.

listen ya fuckin gallah!

Its an oldie.

[greynotsoold]

Here in Butte, everybody uses 'pop' for soda.

[Andre]

Funny the different uses in English language.
Pop is short for grandpop here.
We just call it by its brand name, coke pepsi sprite.
lolly water can be a collective term but its not used much.
You guys say candy for lollies, but out here candy is only like a hard rock sweet.

[Spicoli]

Down here people say "makin' groceries" instead of 'going shopping' or to the store. When you order at a restaurant ask for 'a lil lagniappe'. They don't call it a county, it's a 'Parish'. I don't think I've ever heard pop or soda, but instead 'cold drank'. There are tons really.

[greynotsoold]

There was an interview in the Sunday paper, the former governor explaining 'Montana-speak' to a newspaper writer. He mentioned 'coulee' and 'crick' (not 'creek').
A 'coulee' would be an arroyo in Arizona.

[Dark Lord Al]

Here in Butte, everybody uses 'pop' for soda.

That's the same as the UK we call soda - pop also.

[Andre]

Down here people say "makin' groceries" instead of 'going shopping' or to the store. When you order at a restaurant ask for 'a lil lagniappe'. They don't call it a county, it's a 'Parish'. I don't think I've ever heard pop or soda, but instead 'cold drank'. There are tons really.

What is it?

[smashup]

So whats a Gallar ?

That guy off home and away years ago (the angry man who worked in the sandwich shop) Alf something used to always say to the naughty kids..... "rack off ya bloody gallars"

Gullah is the most stupid loud bird that comes around and wakes you up it does its own thing with no regard for anyone else, they also copy what you say they are mimics like a cocky except they are grey and pink.

Sort of on par with many young fellas actions and brain activity.

listen ya fuckin gallah!

Its an oldie.

Thats about 25 years of not knowing sorted then

Might have been neighbours as it goes ...back in the day when Joe Mangle was in it

[Memphis]

Some people who claim benefits refer to it as getting paid. I in turn refer to these people as cunts.

Bristolian is truly awful for this sort of thing. My main gripes are the use of L's on the end of words where they never existed.

Window = Win dull
Idea = Eye dill

[Spicoli]

Down here people say "makin' groceries" instead of 'going shopping' or to the store. When you order at a restaurant ask for 'a lil lagniappe'. They don't call it a county, it's a 'Parish'. I don't think I've ever heard pop or soda, but instead 'cold drank'. There are tons really.

What is it?

Basically a little something extra. People drop it all the time, in tipping, a longer pour on a drink, "thats just for lagniappe". I'm not exactly Mr. clear speak myself but when I first heard it I was WTF Thought it was a fish or cajun pasta dish. Nothing here is pronounced like it is spelled..'lan-yap'. Strange place when you're coming from the outside, even California .