I was just talking to someone about my hydro bill. I managed to correct that one before getting asked what the hell a hydro bill is, but it inspired me to add to my list of Canadianisms I use that might confuse someone, because there are still ones I’ve just found out about (i.e. pencil crayons), and I was wondering if there were more. Here are some random ones I found on the interbutts. I’m sure some of these are used here, but I have no idea which ones those might be, because they’re all so familiar.
- Stag party = Bachelorette party
- Humidex = Measurement of what the temperature feels like in the summer when you factor in humidity
- Butter tart = Disgusting dessert
- Bachelor apartment = Studio apartment
- Gotchies/undergotchies = Underwear
- Panzerotto = Not a calzone, but close
- Dick = What I did today (nothing)
- Homo milk = Whole milk
- Rubber = Eraser
- March break = Spring break
- Mickey = Pint bottle of booze (I had to look this up, because I still can’t process American measurements)
- Forty/forty pounder = Forty ounce bottle of any liquor, not just malt liquor
- Pissed = A word for drunk that is not used often enough stateside, along with sloshed, smashed, and eh… a whole lot of others
- Poutine = What I wish I was eating right now — I live close enough to Wisconsin, there have got to be some fresh cheese curds somewhere around here…
- Pogo = Canadian brand of corn dogs, used generically
- KD = Short for KD, and all macaroni and cheese is Kraft Dinner (I still use this all the time)
- Wenis = insult formed from a combination of wiener and penis
- Timbit = Doughnut hole
- Gino = (or Gina, if they’re female) Toronto version of a guido
- Rice King = Guy who only dates asians
- Ookpik = Well, I don’t know how to explain this. So, um, click here
- Toque = I still haven’t determined the proper replacement term for a toque. Stocking cap, skull cap, and beanie don’t do it for me, because I know what those are, and they ain’t toques. A stocking cap is one of those elongated dealies, like Santa Claus wears. A skull cap is like a toque but is too short to fold over, and if it’s really short, it’s a Yarmulke or other religious head-covering. A beanie is made of stiffer material and sometimes has a propeller on top. And yet I get laughed at for calling a toque a toque. Excuuuuuuse me, but that’s what it is!
Oh, and…
- Hydro bill = Electric bill (Canada uses a lot of hydroelectric power)
I learned a lot today. I assumed Hydro bill would be water bill for some reason :(.
Where are you?!
I learned a lot today. I assumed Hydro bill would be water bill for some reason :(.
Where are you?!
Please never speak badly of bacon again. You hurt me on the inside.
Please never speak badly of bacon again. You hurt me on the inside.
I like bacon better inside the pig. Piggies are too smart to eat! I’m an ex-vegetarian, but I’m about to relapse. I saw a segment on “This American Life” a while back about pig farms, and… yeah, that about did it for me and pork.
I like bacon better inside the pig. Piggies are too smart to eat! I’m an ex-vegetarian, but I’m about to relapse. I saw a segment on “This American Life” a while back about pig farms, and… yeah, that about did it for me and pork.
Ah, thank you. I have wondered for far too long what exactly a toque was. (since the days of watching Strange Brew, actually)
Ah, thank you. I have wondered for far too long what exactly a toque was. (since the days of watching Strange Brew, actually)
Ah, Strange Brew. Fine film, that. Take off, ya hoser!
Ah, Strange Brew. Fine film, that. Take off, ya hoser!
ENGLISH! DO YOU SPEAK IT?
ENGLISH! DO YOU SPEAK IT?
English, yes. American, no.
English, yes. American, no.