Canadian Slang

Canadian slang
Canadian slang consists of words and phrases of slang exclusive to or

originating from Canada. It is important to note that many of these words
are regional and not used in all areas. In addition to general-purpose
slang, there are slang nicknames for many Canadian places, and residents
of specific Canadian places.
1-List of Canadian slang words and phrases:
-Numbers-
2-4 — (two four) a case of 24 beer ("Beer" being the plural of "Beer")
26er (also 2-6, twixer) — a 26 & 2/3 imperial fl oz (758 ml) in earlier
times, or 750 ml (26.4 fl oz) bottle of alcohol
40 — a 40 fl oz (1 imperial quart, 1.14 L) bottle of alcohol. (see forty
pounder)
60 or "60-pounder"-- a 1.75 L (61.6 imperial fl oz) bottle of spirits, most
likely rye (Canadian whisky)
66er — a former 66.6 imperial fl oz (1/2 U.S. gallon, 1.89 L) bottle of
alcohol, probably also applied to 1.75 L (61.6 imperial fl oz) bottles (see
gripper)
1 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com
-A&B-
"AADAC" (ay-dack) from the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Commission, used to refer to any sort of beverage which would get you
drunk thus making you prime candidate for alcohol addiction.
alcool — grain alcohol; everclear (from French, but pronounced as in
English)
The Ballet — Strip club, or exotic dance club.
Baywop — Someone living in a rural area centered around a bay.
Mostly used in Newfoundland. A pejorative term.
Beaner — Someone living in a planned housing area. Refers to "The
Bean", an area of planned housing in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and
Labrador. "The Bean" is also known as Jellybean Square, referring to
the colourful choices of house paint at the time it acquired its nickname.
Beaver Tail (BeaverTail) — A dessert food basically consisting of a
pastry, usually covered with lemon juice and cinnamon sugar. Given its
name because it resembles the shape of a beaver's tail. Also known as
an Elephant Ear.
bismarck — jelly doughnut (prairies)
BiWay — a store chain similar to Zellers
Blah Blahs — grocery chain Loblaws
Blochead — A derogatory term for Anglophone, or English speaker in
the province of Quebec. French translation tête carrée. Often used as a
derogatory term for a member of the Bloc Quebecois.
Blue Neck, Blueneck — Canadian version of the stereotypical American
Redneck. Whereas the American neck derives its red colour from
exposure to the sun, it is assumed the Canadian's blue colouring is the
result of frostbite.
"Bob Loblaws" — Loblaws grocery stores (Also see Sloblaws)
"Boonies" — derogatory term used in referece to the suburbs of a
city...usually used by those in the centre of city life. This term originally
meant distant or remote rural areas as opposed to suburbs, and is short
for "boondocks", which has the same meaning.
Booze can – an after-hours club or blind pig.
Boss'n Bar — Boston Bar, British Columbia, as generally pronounced
by those familiar with the place (rather than encountering the name for
the first time and making a point of the t); the n may almost be dropped
by way of a nasalized schwa. Boston is Fraser Canyon First Nations
slang for a white person, from the Chinook Jargon Boston man for
American, which is also the source of the name Boston Bar.
The Boys — in British Columbia, can refer either to the RCMP, or to
their arch-nemesis, the main "outlaw motorcycle gang" (to use the
police euphemism).
Brick - the British Columbia Resources Investment Corporation and
associated political boondoggle (early 1980s), publicly-
distrubuted/freebie shares in which were "Brick shares" (often used
derisively); pronounced "brick" even when "BCRIC shares" or "BCRIC"
are read from print.
BT — Bottle Toke. The process of cooking hashish in a beer bottle.
Buck — unit of 100, most commonly directly replaces "dollar" ($1.25 —
"a buck twenty five", $1.50 — "a buck fifty"), originally referred to a male
beaver pelt which in the past was worth one dollar. Also used to
describe highway speed ("I got caught doing a buck-thirty on the 401"
meaning "I was caught driving at a speed of 130km/h on Highway 401")
Buckshee - an archaic term, formerly used to mean "free" or
"complimentary" (ie available for no monetary fee)
Buds — the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team, also marijuana
bunnyhug — a hooded sweatshirt with or without a zipper
(Saskatchewan)
b'y — A term from Newfoundland and Cape Breton. The equivalent of
"man," "dude," or "pal." Possible contraction of "boy." Example: Go on,
b'y.
-C&D-
Caker — is short for "Mangia Cake" (pronounced manja cake, Italian for
"cake-eater") and refers to Canadians of Anglo origin. It is said that the
term originated in Italian-Canadian kitchens as a type of mockery of
Anglophone Canada's bland cultural and culinary habits.
Can — Washroom or toilet, as in "I've got to go to the can".
CanCon — short for Canadian Content. Refers to the requisite number
of Canadian songs, films, programs, etc. that Canadian broadcasters
must air.
CanLit — Canadian literature, of the variety that exists only because it's
government-funded, and of a certain style. Originally derisive, ultimately
adopted by the Canadian literary establishment as shorthand for itself.
Canuck — Canadian. Often used in the US as well, sometimes
derogatorily. Originally used to mean French-Canadians only, and
archaic pron. can-OOK. Also the name for a player on the Vancouver
NHL team. See Canucklehead.
Canucklehead — a fan of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team,
typically a low-brow one.
Cave-On-Foods — Nickname for Save-On-Foods due to the cave-in in
a British Columbia Save-On-Foods
Chinook — A warm, dry wind experienced along the eastern side of the
Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. Most common in
winter and spring, it can result in a rise in temperature of 20 °C (35 to
40 °F) in a quarter of an hour. In British Columbia , the word is
pronounced with a hard ch instead of the sh sound as used elsewhere
in Canada, and means an extremely wet, warm constant southwesterly,
which actually is the same weather pattern as the drying wind that it
becomes when it hits Alberta. The use of the word to mean a wind is
from the Chinook Jargon, "i.e. the wind from the direction of the country
of the Chinooks" (the lower Columbia River), as transmitted to the
Prairies by the francophone employees of the Hudson's Bay Company,
hence the Frenchified pronunciation east of the Rockies. A Chinook in
BC is also one of the five main varieties of salmon, and can also mean
the Chinook Jargon, although this older usage is now very rare.
Cherrypicker — Similar to high-grading, someone who takes the best of
something available, be it a product or opportunity, and leaves the rest.
In hockey, somebody who stays around the opposing teams goalie and
does not play defence. Similar to Goal Suck.
Chesterfield — a couch or sofa.
Chokerman and running choker — an extremely dangerous entry-level
job in British Columbia's forestry sector. A choker is a steel cable with
an eye-hook used to attach logs to the grapple-yarder or other
spar/drag equipment used in industrial logging.
click — kilometre or kilometres per hour (sometimes spelled "klick").
CFA (Comes-From-Away) — a term used in the Atlantic provinces to
refer to visitors or residents who were not born and raised in Eastern
Canada. This term can be used in an affectionate manner, or an
exclusionary manner.
CKA (Canada Kicks Ass) — term typically heard as spectator chant at
international sporting events in which Canadians participate. Usage not
widespread.
Clan Van — originated as a derogatory term for delapitated vehicles
driven by residents of Indian reservations, has been softened to
indicate any family station wagon or minivan.
The Colonel's — holdover term for KFC restaurants (or food from
there), a reference to the restaurant's creator and advertising character
Colonel Harlan Sanders.
Constab — pronounced cun-STAB; the police in cities of Newfoundland
and Labrador serviced by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
Combine Pilots — a term used by Albertans to describe people from
Saskatchewan.
Cougar — a middle-aged (or above) woman, dressed to the nines, out
on the prowl looking for young (20–35 year old) men
Crap Dinner — Instant macaroni and cheese product Kraft Dinner.
Also; Crappy Dinner.
Crappy Tire or Ukrainian Tire or "Communist Tire" — Canadian Tire
Dart — Cigarette. "You wanna go for a dart with me?"
deke, deke out — to feint, to trick or avoid someone "to deke out of a
meeting" or, to deftly manoeuvre around a sporting opponent (esp. in
hockey). Also used to refer to making shortcuts and innovative routes
through traffic.
dep — corner store, adapted from Quebec French word "dépanneur",
especially by English-speaking Quebeckers.
dick, dick all, sweet dick all, sda — nothing
Dipper — a member of the New Democratic Party
Dirt — A derogatory term for a member of the Heavy Metal subculture.
Dirty Bird — nickname for Kentucky fried chicken, even Popeye's
Dogan — a Catholic; abusive, and now dying out
double-double — a coffee with double cream, double sugar (especially,
but not exclusively, from Tim Hortons). Triple-triple and four-by-four
(less common) are three and four creams/sugars, respectively.
Double Sawbuck — a twenty-dollar bill. A sawbuck, less commonly
used, is a ten-dollar bill.
Dressed to the nines — To be all dressed up (a suit or tux for the men
and perhaps a suit, dress or gown for the ladies).
-E&F-
eh — a spoken interjection to ascertain the comprehension, continued
interest, agreement, etc., of the person or persons addressed (e.g.
"That was a good game last night, eh?"). May also be used instead of
huh? or what?. Meaning please repeat or say again.
Fare well — in British Columbia, the social services ministry and its
annual guaranteed income plan, i.e. welfare.
Farmer Stop — a rolling stop. Where one does not come to a complete
stop at a stop sign. Typical of those accustomed to driving in areas
without large amounts of traffic.
Farmer's Blow — a way of relieving nasal congestion by pinching a
single nostril closed with a finger and blowing out phlegm from the other
with a mighty exhalation.
Farmer turn — a manoeuvre executed while driving an automobile in
urban areas. A right turn that starts by veering to the left, often crossing
into the adjacent lane before completing the (often slow) right turn.
Name refers to the driving habits of rural farmers accustomed to large
vehicles and unused to city traffic.
Farmer vision (also Peasant Vision, Country Cable or TFC - 'Three
Friggin' Channels') — The basic three TV channels that can be picked
up almost anywhere (Global, CBC, CTV).
The Ferries - can mean the entire BC Ferries corporation, as well as
the the ferry fleet per se or the rigamarole involved in travelling by
them.
Fin — a five-dollar bill, also known as a Fiver.
Fish Police (also Tree Cop and Critter Cop) — Derogatory reference to
Federal or Provincial Fisheries or Wildlife Officers.
Flip — A term used for Filipino-Canadians.
FOB — Means fresh off the boat, and can be a derogatory term aimed
at newly arrived immigrants, although commonly used affectionately to
describe any new resident of Canada. Often used amongst youth to
describe exchange students, or fellow long-term visiting peers. Similar
to American FES, or Foreign Exchange Student. Has also been re-
defined by University of Toronto students to mean Fresh Off Bloor,
especially relating to the large numbers of non-Canadian-Permanent-
Resident students attending the University. As well, some related terms
are FOY = "Fresh Off Yacht" or FOP = "Fresh Off Plane" which are
used to cunteract the label FOB especially as a result of pre-1990s
change in Canadian Immigration Policies to only let skilled workers in.
For Further information please google "Underemployment in
Canada",Immigrants, etc.
fock — Alternate spelling/pronunciation of "Fuck" used primarily by
francophones while speaking English (not to be confused with phoque,
the French word for seal)
forty pounder (forty ouncer) — a 40 oz. bottle of alcohol (see 40)
Frog — A derogatory name given to French Canadians
Frosh — A term for first-year students, derived from freshman.
French fry — A derogatory name given to French Canadians,
particularly in New Brunswick: see Square Head/English Muffin
Fuck All — A term used to indicate doing or having done nothing. (e.g.
"What did you do last night? - Fuck all."
Fuck the dog — A term used to indicate doing nothing (e.g. "I fucked
the dog all weekend"). May be referred to as Making Puppies in polite
company.
-G-
"Garbage Mitts" — a pair of white leather mitts. Term mainly used in
Manitoba. Usually worn in the winter when playing street hockey.
Gearbox — a term used to describe the shifting mechanism in a car,
mainly used in the suburbs of Toronto, and also a derisive term for a
promiscuous and/or giggly woman or girl. British in origin and also in
common use among Britons resident in various parts of Canada,
notably Victoria, British Columbia.
Ghetto Blaster — a portable stereo system. The term was common
throughout North America at one time, but is still common in Canada.
Gina — a female (usually of Mediterranean descent) who dresses in
tight clothing usually with fluffy accents; Ginas are usually only labelled
as such because of their association with Ginos (see below) (this word
may be considered a racial slur against Italian women, but many young
people associate it exclusively with the Gino/Gina subculture with or
without a negative connotation).
Gino — a male (usually of Mediterranean descent) who dresses in tight
clothing (particularly denim), uses hair gel, wears gold chains, and has
a macho attitude (this word may be considered a racial slur against
Italian men, but many young people associate it exclusively with the
Gino/Gina subculture with or without a negative connotation). Also
referred to as "Gino-Camaro" because of the high correlation between
people of this description and Chevrolet Camaros/Pontiac Firebirds.
Giv'n'r — used to describe any act carried out with extreme exuberance
or to its fullest potential. "We were just Giv'n'r last night." Can be
expanded as "Give her berries".
Giv'er — Used to give someone permission to do something they never
really asked to do ie: when speeding and a passenger notices, he says
'giv'er buddy' encouraging the driver to go faster.
Goal Suck — Somebody who stays around the opposing teams goalie
and does not play defence. (see "Cherry Picker")
Goler — The name of a family accused of mass incest on South
Mountain in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia in 1984. The
accusations implicated sixteen adults (both men and women) with
incest and sexual abuse of children as young as five. The abuse had
been perpetuated over several generations. The term is now used as
an insult, e.g "He's a goler."
goof — 1: cheap sherry or fortified wine ("I could buy the Indian chiefs
off with a case of goof," – Ed Havrot, chair of the Ontario Northland
Transportation Commission, Toronto Globe and Mail, May 16. 1975); 2:
a major insult; 3: to make a mistake (a goof, to goof). Though also
derisive, goofball may be used affectionately or in jest.
Gouge-and-Screw Tax — Goods and Services Tax (Canada)
Government Dairy A liqour store, so called because the liquor is seen
as being as important as dairy, and comes from the government.
Greenchain, as in working greenchain — the entry level position in a
sawmill, grabbing lumber as it comes off from the saws along the
"greenchain", which drags logs through the mill.
Grit — a member of the Liberal Party of Canada. In British Columbia, a
neo-Grit is a new-era BC Liberal (distinct in character from the pre-
1970s BC Liberal Party), although Grit is commonly used in the media,
though usually to mean the federal Liberals only.
Gripper — a former 66 imp fl oz (1/2 U.S. gal) or a 1.75 L (61.6 imp fl
oz) bottle of liquor. So named for either having a looped handle on the
bottle neck, or matching indented "grips" on the body of the bottle.
Grocery Police — A Canadian Customs and Revenue Border Agent.
Gunt — The area on an overweight, usually middle-aged or older
woman below her belly that bulges out in the shape of a football.
Generally accentuated by a too-tight pair of slacks.
-H&J-
Habs — the Montreal Canadiens hockey team (from a contraction of
habitants, a term for residents of New France). Predominantly used by
English fans of the team. (Pronounced as in English, not as in French.)
half-sack — A six pack of beer, usually bottles.
Hi-yu" — British Columbian term from the Chinook Jargon meaning a
party or gathering, literally "many" or "lots" (i.e. of people). A large event
might be called a big hi-yu, which in capitalized form Big Hi-yu was
often a slang name for "the July" celebrations, particularly in Fraser
Canyon and Cariboo regions.
Holidays, Department of — In BC, the provincial Department (sometime
Ministry) of Highways, referring to the apparent lackadaiscal style of
highways employees. More used to refer to employment in the Ministry,
rather than the ministry itself.
honger — Derogatory name for immigrants from Hong Kong used by
Mandarin-speaking and Canadianized Chinese.
Horsemen — Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
hose — used as a verb 'to hose' meaning to trick, deceive, steal, etc.
hosed — Broken or not working. e.g. "There was a power surge and
now my TV's hosed."
hoser — a stereotype and a mild insult; exploiter; from Depression era
prairie gasoline thieves.
homo milk — homogenized milk, particularly with a fat content greater
than 2%, usually 3.25%. Referred to in the USA as whole milk.
Hoodie — A hooded sweatshirt with or without a zipper.
Horny Tims — Tim Hortons.
HOV Lane — High Occupancy Vehicle Lane, the Canadian equivalent
of a carpool or bus lane/
Hyas — usually in combination with tyee or muckamuck, a British
Columbia term from the Chinook Jargon word for "big, important".
Increasingly rare by itself or in combination with ordinary English words,
it turns up in hyas tyee, meaning "big boss, head man, bigshot", and
hyas muckamuck (also high-ass muckety-muck, or just high
muckamuck, as it sometimes get creolized in English), literally "big
food", really "big feast", and refers to those who sit at the head table or
place or position at a feast. Both can have a sarcastic tone, especially
hyas muckamuck, as in some bigshot who acts important, not just is
important. High muckety-muck in particular is very derisive towards
authority figures, or people who get into public affairs because they
think they're important, or should be. Hyas may be the root of such
English-wide compounds as dumb-ass and stupid-ass. Its apposite in
the Chinook Jargon is tenas or tenass, which often turns up in lake
names and other geographic features in BC.
hydro — 1: (except Alberta and Saskatchewan) commonly as a
synonym for electrical service, as in "The hydro bill is due on the
fifteenth". Many Canadian provincial electric companies generate power
from hydroelectricity, and incorporate the term "Hydro" in their names;
2: Hydroponically grown plants of any type, but especially used to refer
to hydroponically grown marijuana; usage: "Manitoba Hydro... It's not
just a Power Company anymore."; "How long did you work for Hydro?"
"When's Hydro gonna get the lines back up."
Hydrofield — A line of electricity transmission towers, usually in groups
cutting across a city.
Hydro lines/poles — Electrical transmission lines/poles.
Icky-Bicky - the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (the
government auto insurance monopoly), used derisively as well as
ordinarily, and about the same amount as the acronym itself i.e I-see-
BEE-see
idjit — variant pronunciation of 'idiot', particularly in Atlantic Canada.
jam buster — jelly doughnut (Manitoba)
jib — methamphetamine (West/Central Canada)
jib-tech warrior — drug addict who is awake for long periods looking for
things to steal. (British Columbia)
Jigger- Term used instead of ATV, or 4-Wheeler.
joggers — a term used for jogging pants or sweatpants
jono — feeling embarrassed for someone else; a painfully awkward
situation
-K&M-
KD or K.D. — Slang for Kraft Dinner, the macaroni with orange cheese
sauce
Kenora Dinner Jacket — a lined fleece or flannel shirt or jacket,
typically plaid, stereotypically associated with working-class rural
Ontarians. See Hoser
Kentucky Fried Pigeon — disparaging term for Kentucky Fried Chicken,
due to suspect quality of poultry used in preparation of this dish.
Knob — a more serious insult, usually considered vulgar
Language Police — A Quebec provincial government body titled the
'Office de la Langue Française' who under Bill 101, the controversial
language law passed in the 1970s, were charged with ensuring that
Quebec businesses feature the French language at least on par with
English on signs, menus ect. Elements such as size, bold colours and
font styles are all closely scrutinized. Violators face stiff fines, or even
revocation of their business licences.
The LB — Saskatchewan Liquor Board Store; also known as "the
Board Store"
LC (Elcee)— Slang for Manitoba Liquor Control Commission (MLCC),
the government-run liquor stores in Manitoba; also for Nova Scotia's
'Liquor Commission'.
"Lick-Bo" — Slang for the Ontario Liquor Control Board (LCBO)
"Lick-n-Blow" — Slang for the Ontario Liquor Control Board (LCBO)
Liquor Store — A specific reference to a government operated liquor
store, as privately owned liquor stores are uncommon or illegal in
Eastern Canada, depending on provincial liquor laws. A private liquor
store is generally referred to as a Cold Beer & Wine Store or "off-sale".
Alberta has no government run liquor stores but still refer to the private
stores as liquor stores.
Logey — Tired or sluggish
Loonie — Canadian one dollar coin which originally had a loon on the
reverse side.
Lord Stanley or Lord Stanley's Mug — slang reference to the Stanley
Cup, awarded annually to the champion team of the National Hockey
League.
Low Blows — Loblaws grocery stores
Lumber jacket — A thick flannel jacket either red and black or green
and black favoured by blue collar workers and heavy metal/grunge
afficinados. This apparel is more commonly referred to as a mackinac
(pron mackinaw).
Mahsie and Masi — Chinook Jargon for "thank you", from French
merci, still in common use in northern BC and the Yukon (often with a
different cadence than in French, i.e. MAH-see instead of Mah-SEE).
Make Me Laughs — Derogatory term for the Toronto Maple Leafs
hockey team
Mangia-Cake — Term used by Canadians of Italian origin to describe
WASPs or English-Canadians. Comes from fact that Italians, when they
arrived in Canada observed Canadians' habit of eating sweet dessert
(cake) after a meal; Italians normally eat fruit after a meal and not
sweets.
Mapleflot — Derogatory term for Air Canada, derived from Aeroflot.
Mardi Gras — in Vancouver's Downtown East Side, the last
Wednesday with five banking days before the end of a month, i.e.
"Welfare Wednesday", which turns into a drinking and drugging circus
for a few days. Mardi Gras is the name for the fun/chaos used by both
the neighbourhood/street people and the police.
May 2–4 — the Victoria Day holiday which takes place on the third
Monday in May, on or around May 24. It also refers to the entire three
day holiday weekend, which is Canada's "unofficial" start of the summer
season, when many open cottages after the winter. (Note that the term
May two-four may be used to refer to this weekend even if the holiday
falls as early as May 17.) The name is a conscious pun on the date and
the case of beer which is traditionally drunk on this holiday. (Ontario).
Maylong — see above; contraction of "May long weekend".
McDicks — McDonalds Fast Food Restaurant, also "McDogFoods" or
"Mickey D's" or "McRat's" or "Rotten Ronnie's" or "McKaKa's" and "First
Stop to Stomach Pump" and "Animal Recycler"
mickey — a small (13 oz.) bottle of liquor, shaped to fit in a pocket. Also
fits conveniently alongside the calf of a cowboy boot or rubber boot.
Militants — activists, adapted from Quebec French, especially by
English-speaking Quebeckers.
Mission Shitty — the downtown area of Mission, British Columbia,
originally incorporated as Mission City. Partly a parody of the First
Nations English tendency to slur s into sh.
Molson Muscle — A beer belly named after the popular beer.
Mountie (also Mounty) — a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police
Mother Corp — CBC
Moving Day — derogative term used in Quebec for Canada Day (July
1st) - since most apartment leases in Quebec traditionally expire on this
day, Quebeckers use the national holiday as their chosen date for
changing apartments. Referring to this day as 'Moving Day' is a snub at
the 'Rest of Canada' by nationalist Québeckers
-N&R-
N-Dipper — A member of the New Democratic Party.
Newfie, Newf — a person from Newfoundland; often considered
derogatory if used by someone other than a Newfoundlander.
Nish — racist slang for a person of First Nations ethnicity (from
Anishinaabe, the Ojibwa word for "Human being")
"Nob" — Similar to Hoser.
The O — nickname for the Ontario Hockey League
the Oilpatch, or the 'patch — the local term of the oil industry of Alberta,
especially the part involved directly with drilling
Orgyphone — Derogatory term.
P-Mall. In Toronto, Ontario, refers to Pacific Mall.
Pepper, Pepsi — Word used to describe French/Francophone
Canadians
Peelers — a term to describe strippers because they 'peel' their clothes
off. Used as, "Let's hit the Peeler bar!"
Petro — A abbreviated reference to Petro-Canada, a Canadian gas
station chain
PFK — Kentucky Fried Chicken, referring to the French initials of KFC.
Pissed — A state of intoxication
P. O'd — pissed off; angry
pogey — Social Assistance, Welfare (Especially in Newfoundland.)
Employment insurance. In British Columbia, pogey always means
Employment Insurance, vs the dole or other terms for Welfare.
Pogo — A brand of corn dogs.
Prairie nigger (derogatory) — A person of aboriginal descent
prolly — A substitution for the word probably. ("Prolly going for a bike
ride.") (Especially in southwestern British Columbia.)
Puck Bunny — In disparaging terms, A young girl who pursues hockey
players; a groupie of hockey players. More correctly is "Puck Fuck", but
rarely used in mixed company.
The Q — nickname for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
R.C. — a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ("I was pulled
over by the R.C.'s.")
Real Canadian Stupidstore — a reference to Real Canadian
Superstore, a Canadian grocery store chain
Red Neck or Redneck — derogatory term used in referece to people in
the prairie region of Western Canada or people in the southern United
States. In British Columbia also refers to a set of political and social
attitudes, irrespective of social class or background.
Reservation Rocket — nickname for vehicle found within native
reservations, typically an old camaro or Trans-Am
Rice King and Rice Queen — In British Columbia, non-Asians who only
date Asians, often in-migrants from another part of Canada moved here
for that reason.
Rink Rat— Term used to describe people who work at a hockey rink
and maintain the building/ice surface
Rippers — term for strippers or exotic dancers. Derived from the fact
they rip their clothes off (eventually). They perform in Ripper Bars.
Rotten Ronnies — nickname for McDonalds
Runners — term for running shoes or 'sneakers'
-S-
Sasquatch — A creature similar to Bigfoot or Yeti, from the
Halkemeylem word sesqac. In British Columbia often used to mean
someone tall, large and shaggy or bearded. Also a Saskatchewan
driver in Alberta, or an Albertan teen with Saskatchewan licence plates.
Saskatchewan Chrome — a derogatory term for duct tape
Sawbuck — a ten-dollar bill. A double sawbuck, more commonly used,
is a twenty dollar bill.
Scarborough Suitcase — a 24-bottle case of beer, referencing the
Scarborough suburb of Toronto.
Scare Canada — a derogatory term used with regard to national air
carrier Air Canada
Scrappy Tire — hardware and automotive store Canadian Tire
Screech — a particularly potent type of Newfoundland rum. See
Newfoundland Screech.
Sens — a non-derogatory term used to describe the Ottawa Senators
hockey team.
Serviette — Paper napkin.
Sev — Usually a teenage term for the 7-11 convenience store. (Hey
man, you going to sev?)
Shit Disturber — a person with a propensity & fondness for stirring up
trouble
Shitty TV — derogatory term for nationwide TV network CityTV.
Siskiyou — in the British Columbia Interior, a bob-tail horse. A
Californian Native American term transmitted to British Columbia during
fur trade days via the Chinook Jargon.
Sixty-Sixer — A term for a sixty-two ounce (1.75 L) bottle of liquor (from
the old 1/2 U.S. gallon size, 66.6 imp fl oz)
Skid — Derogatory term for someone who wears an 80s metal t-shirt,
jean jacket, dirty/acid-washed jeans, a mullet, drives a trans-am, and/or
lives in a trailer park. From Skid Row.
Skookum — A term used primarily, but not exclusively in British
Columbia and Yukon Territory, from a Chinook word meaning "strong,
powerful, good, cool, superlative or first rate" but also currently used to
indicate "very good". (Skookum party last night, eh?, He's a skookum
guy, that skookum with you?)
Sloblaws — Loblaws grocery stores
Sloshed, smashed — Intoxicated, drunk
Smog dog — hotdog from a Toronto street vendor (also called Street
dog and Street meat)
Snowbirds — a reference to people, often senior citizens, who leave
Canada during the winter months to reside in southern states of the
U.S. (particularly Florida.)
S.O.L. — or "Shit Outta Luck". Used in reference to an unfortunate
situation.
spores — Magic Mushrooms
Sp'ed — A person who is in need of Special Needs Services, derived
from the now disused term "special education". (read: mentally
deficient).
Spinny — when used in reference to a girl or woman in BC, this means
a certain kind of talkative, not-all-there kind of personality, as in "man,
she's a spinny chick, huh?" and "I dunno man - she's pretty spinny".
See also Surrey girl (though the terms are nowhere near synonymous).
Spudhead — a person from Prince Edward Island, in reference to the
province's abundance of potato farming
Square Head/English Muffin — Words used to describe English/Anglo
Canadians, the former in French is "Tête Carré". "English Muffin" is
often heard in New Brunswick schoolyards with its counterpart, "French
Fry". In British Columbia, squarehead invariably is a derisive term for an
ethnic German, i.e. someone who still has their accent and old-country
hardliner attitudes. Not generally used to mean Austrians or Swiss.
Square of Beer — term used to describe a case of 24 bottles, as it
resembles a square (used by Bob & Doug McKenzie in Strange Brew)
Street dog — A hotdog or sausage in a bun, sold from a street vendor
(ubiquitous in Toronto) (also called Smog dog and Street meat)
Stubble Jumper — A person hailing from Saskatchewan. Relates to the
province's vast farmlands that when harvasted, leave stubble.
Stupidstore — The Real Canadian Superstore (known as Atlantic
Superstore in the Atlantic Provinces)
Suitcase — Case of twenty-four bottles of beer.
Surrey girl — an extremely derisive reference, but widespread in
humour in BC's Lower Mainland, with an accompanying body of
extremely sexist and classist jokes imputing a certain kind of "loose"
lifestyle and "white trash" culture.
Surrey Tuxedo — Male attire consisting of T- shirt, Mac Jacket (usu.
red/black plaid), Datyons (brand of locally made motorcycle boots) and
jeans. Named after Surrey, British Columbia. Refers to the once
common sight of this outfit on the streets of Surrey.
Swish — Homemade low-quality liquor. Can also mean a fancy or
stylish person or outfit.
Swiss Pigeon — nickname for Swiss Chalet chicken restaurant
-T&Z-
"Take Off" — expression of disagreement or command to leave, similar
to "get lost" ("Take off, you hoser!").
Telecaster — Term used in Nova Scotia to refer to a newspaper TV
listings publication. Sometimes used in BC media English
interchangeably with "broadcaster".
Texas Mickey — A 3 litre or larger bottle of liquor, despite the Texas
reference, this is a purely Canadian term.
Tickety Boo — Meaning 'things are in good order' or 'good to go.'
Perhaps a corruption of the Hindi 'thiik hai, babu' meaning 'it's all right
sir' which may have been brought back from India via the UK by RCAF
pilots in World War Two.
Townie — 1: Someone living in an urban area. Mostly used in
Newfoundland; 2: Synonym for "a local", often heard in small university
towns in reference to the students who are actually from the town. Also
common in New England to refer to someone who has lived in a given
town all of his or her life.
Tim's, Timmy's, Timmy Ho's, Timmy Ho-Ho's — Tim Hortons doughnut
chain; female employees of same are sometimes (affectionately) known
as "TimTarts".
Tipper — A 3.75 litre bottle of liquor, sold with a metal frame used to
support the bottle when pouring.
Toonie — Canadian two-dollar coin
Tory — a member of the Conservative Party of Canada; previously
used to refer to one of its predecessors, the Progressive Conservatives
Tuque or toque — A knit winter hat sometimes with a ball of wool or a
tassel on it.
twofer, two-four — a case of 24 beers (see 2-4)
twenty-sixer or two-six — a 26 oz bottle of alcohol like vodka etc. (see
2-6)
Tyee, usually hyas tyee, sometimes big tyee. A British Columbian term
from the Chinook Jargon word for chief, meaning "boss", "head guy",
"bigshot". In the combination hyas tyee (originally translated "king") and
its anglicized equivalent big tyee, the addition of the hyas auxiliary not
only adds an air of importance but also, potentially, of sarcasm. See
hyas and hyas muckamuck. Tyee is also a word for a king-sized
Chinook Salmon, and is often found in sport fishing lingo as well as
throughout the Johnstone Strat-Queen Charlotte Strait area where such
fish are the main attraction.
Ukrainian Tire — a nasty racial slur against Canadian Tire and
Canadians of Ukrainian Descent. However, most Ukrainian-Canadians
will not take offence, and will actually grin when you refer to the store
as such.
Ukrainian Firing Squad — on the "old" fifty dollar bill, a representation of
the RCMP Musical Ride appeared, with the mounted officers in a circle
with their lances pointing at each other.
Vico — a small carton of chocolate milk (Saskatchewan)
Vomit Comet — The first Yonge St. bus going northbound after the
subways in Toronto close down for the night and people start to filter
out of downtown bars and clubs. The term is also used (at any hour) to
refer to Toronto's streetcars, which remain in service 24 hours a day,
and also transport drunken bar patrons home after the subway has shut
for the night. The term is also used in British Columbia for certain bus
runs, especially the night routes and "the 701", which connects
Coquitlam to Maple Ridge.
Way too — Superlative ("That was way too funny"; "It's way too hot out
today"). Common in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula.
Welly-Mart — Wal-Mart "welly" is a derogatory term for welfare
recipients, who are often seen at discount stores such as Wal-Mart.
Wenis — A stupid or intolerable person. Example: "Pewterspoon is
such a wenis."
Wet Coast — The west coast of British Columbia, primarily in reference
to its rainfall.
2-slang nicknames for Canadian places, and residents of
specific Canadian places.
The 416 — Toronto, Ontario, the specific area covered by the 416/647
telephone area codes
519er — Someone from the rural areas of Southwestern Ontario that is
served by the 519 area code. A nicer way of calling someone a
backward country bumpkin
7 — Toronto, Ontario, refers to Highway 7 in York Region, often used
e.g. "7 and Woodbine". In British Columbia's Lower Mainland, 7 is also
a Highway 7, the Lougheed Highway from Burnaby to Agassiz east
along the north side of the Fraser River, and the main drag through all
municipalities along that route.
The 905 — the suburbs to the west, north and east of Toronto, covered
by the 905 telephone area code, including Halton, Peel, York and
Durham regions. Many "905ers" identify with right-wing political views,
an issue that gained recognition during the Mike Harris era.
Abby — Abbotsford, British Columbia; very common in speech
throughout British Columbia, but especially in the Lower Mainland.
Alberia — Alberta, Canada, A portmanteau word combining Alberta and
Siberia. Used to describe Alberta's cold climate and remote location.
The Albertabahn — Alberta Highway 2. Known for excessive speeding,
this twinned highway between Edmonton and Calgary bears a
resemblance to the Autobahn at times; also known as the "QE2".
The Ambassador — in Windsor, Ontario, refers to the Ambassador
Bridge which links Windsor, Ontario in Canada with Detroit, Michigan in
the United States.
Asiancourt — Slang for Agincourt, Ontario. Refers to its large Asian
population.
The Bay — In broad Canadian usage, this will almost always refer to
the Hudson's Bay Company department store (see Morgan's). In
Ontario, "the Bay" may mean the city of North Bay, Ontario
B.G. — Bright's Grove, Ontario
The Bend, a nickname for the town of Grand Bend in Southern Ontario,
le Coude — the City of Moncton, New Brunswick
The Big O — Olympic Stadium (Montreal)
The Big Smoke — now pervasive enough in Ontario to have come into
use in the Canadian (Toronto-based) media to mean the City of
Toronto, this term is of British Columbian origin and has been used to
refer to the City of Vancouver since the milltown era of the 19th
Century. The term was either a reference to the heavy mill-smoke
locally, or to the pervasive cloud and fog of the city's location ("smoke"
in the Chinook Jargon meant cloud and fog as well as smoke).
Independently used for many cities around the world, notably London.
Billy's Puddle — Williams Lake, British Columbia. Also Willy's puddle
and the Lake (which was also the local nicknname for its historic but
recently-burned down beer parlour/hotel). Common throughout the
Interior, but especially in the Cariboo.
Blahttawa — Derogatory name for Canada's Capital (Ottawa), referring
to the perceived lack of club scene, lack of culture, and boring
postcard-esque perfection.
Bluenoser — a term for a resident of Nova Scotia
Bogtrotter — a term for a resident of New Brunswick, also a term used
by Newfoundlanders for inhabitants of the other Atlantic Provinces.
Bramistan — Brampton, Ontario, referring in part to the area's large
population of Pakistani people
Bramladesh — Brampton, Ontario, referring in part to the area's sizable
community of South Asian descent. A conflation of Bramalea (a
planned community in eastern Brampton) and Bangladesh.
The Bridge City — Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, referring to the bridges
across the South Saskatchewan River that link the east and west sides
of the city
British California — alternate name for BC; a reference to the
similarities between that province and the US state of California,
including physical location, liberal society and political climate. See also
"Left Coast".
Brockvegas — Brockville, Ontario
Bumfuck nowhere, Buttfuck nowhere — mostly used in Ontario, refers
to rural areas, most often remote villages or hamlets that are far from
urban areas and often perceived as boring.
Bunkford — a derogatory reference to Brantford, Ontario
Bush, the Bush — commonly used in British Columbia in the same way
that Australians refer to the Outback, i.e. as a generic term, whether in
relation hunting/outdoors or employment at mines or in the woods. In
certain uses interchangeable with upcountry, but "the Bush" is never
used to refer to any significant-sized town or agricultural area.
Buttcrack, Saskatchewan — derogatory term referring to rural
Saskatchewan.
ByTown — Ottawa, Ontario (Bytown is the former name of the capital of
Canada)
Cash Crick — Cache Creek, British Columbia. Very common,
especially in the Interior.
CCR — Canada's Capital Region. It includes both Ottawa, Ontario, and
Gatineau, Québec
Canuck — Canadian
the Canyon — the Fraser Canyon area of British Columbia, especially
referring to the highway and railway section north from Hope to Lytton,
and often used to include the Thompson Canyon as far as Cache
Creek. In other areas of BC used locally for local canyon roads, such as
the Brohm Ridge-Cheakamus Canyon stretch of Highway 99 between
Whistler and Squamish, or any of the several local canyons around
Lillooet, specified as to which by context.
Caper — Someone from Cape Breton (Nova Scotia)
Centre of the Universe — A common opinion of those who live outside
of Toronto, Ontario about how Torontonians view themselves and their
city, often used in the formation Toronto (aka the Centre of the
Universe)
The Chuck — Edmonton, Alberta, short for its other nickname
Edmonchuck, a reference to the city's dominant population of
Canadians of Ukrainian descent. In British Columbia, the chuck is a
reference to water, usually the straits and other inland waters between
Vancouver and Vancouver Island from the Chinook Jargon and
commonly used in marine English and in weather forecasts, e.g. it'll be
fine out on the chuck. Also saltchuck.
ChillicOOtin — folksy variant of Chilcotin, very cowboy-ish.
Chillywack — Chilliwack. Normal pron. is Chil-lih-wak as opposed to the
joke-name chih-lee-wak. Accent in both is on first syllable. Same
category as Willy’s Puddle, Cash Crick, Lillywet, Chillicootin.
City of Lakes — Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
City of Saints — Montreal, due to the large amount of churches and
streets starting with "Saint-".
the Coast — in British Columbia, the generic term in the Interior for the
coastal portions of the province. Theoretically including Vancouver
Island and the city of Victoria, but when used in the Interior most likely
to be in reference to Vancouver. In Vancouver, it will refer to that area
and the coastal areas north. "The Coast", "the Island" and "the Interior"
are the three main subdivisions of British Columbia, although the Coast
can be used, even in Vancouver, to mean only that city. Usage: "You
going down to the Coast?" (NB the expression "out to the Coast" is
heard, often by Prairie people speaking about having moved to BC,
"when I moved out to the Coast". And by that, they mean Vancouver,
and only occasionally Victoria (in which case they're more likely to say
"the Island").
The Coke — Very local slang for Etobicoke, Ontario, a municipality that
is now part of Toronto. The "k" is silent in the pronunciation of
Etobicoke. In British Columbia this term means the Coquihalla Highway
between Hope and Merritt, the main route connecting the Lower
Mainland to the southern Interior (Coquihalla is properly pronounced
Cawk'-ihalla but many people pronounce it Coke'-ihalla)
the Cove — the Deep Cove neighbourhood at the eastern extremity of
North Vancouver; never used for the community of the same name on
the Saanich Peninsula near the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
Cowtown — Calgary, Alberta
Cultus — Cultus Lake, British Columbia. Cultus is a Chinook Jargon
word meaning "bad, worthless, garbage, untrustworthy" (depending on
what's being talked about), or just "ordinary, run-of-the-mill". Cultus
Lake has a story about an evil spirit associated with it, but in modern
speech "Cultus" used by itself refers to the lake and its resort village
and campsites.
The Darkside — Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Deadmonton — negative reference to Edmonton, Alberta
Dead Rear — Red Deer, Alberta
Deerfoot 500 — known municipally as Deerfoot Trail, refers to the
portion of the Queen Elizabeth II Highway within the city of Calgary,
Alberta. So called because of the high speeds usually seen on this
freeway, reminiscent of the Indianapolis 500
Ditchland or Ditchmond — Richmond, British Columbia — refers to the
number of deep roadside ditches that were formerly on all streets in the
city and remain typical in some areas (Richmond was mainly farmland
at one time, most if below sea-level or river-level. The ditches are the
drainage system which prevents the city from tidewaters, or from
reverting to a delta-marsh, which is its natural state. In areas where the
ditches are no longer seen, they have been replaced by culverts).
The 'Dome — the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta (home of
the Calgary Flames). Also referred to the Skydome in Toronto, Ontario,
now known as the Rogers Centre.
Don Valley Parking Lot — Toronto, Ontario, refers to the constant traffic
jams on the Don Valley Parkway into downtown Toronto.
downhomer — a person from Newfoundland; sometimes refers to a
person from any part of Atlantic Canada.
The Drive — Vancouver’s Commercial Drive alternative-culture district,
overlain with the old core of Vancouver’s Little Italy (which now extends
out East Hastings into Burnaby Heights).
Drum — Drumheller, Alberta
Drunken Duncan — Duncan, British Columbia derogatory term.
Dudberrians a derogatory term for the citizens of Greater Sudbury,
Ontario
EOA — acronym for East Of Adelaide, Adelaide being a street which
(at least metaphorically) divides London, Ontario in two, with the east
side being historically viewed as the proverbial "wrong side of the
tracks".
Edmonchuk — A name for Edmonton, Alberta, referring to the large
Ukrainian population.
Edmonotone — negative reference to Edmonton, Alberta
E-town — Edmonton, Alberta also Esquimalt (for example, E-Town
boys)
Etobicrack, Etobichoke, Etobicoke— A derogatory name for Etobicoke,
Ontario; the name is properly pronounced 'Etobicoe', but the last slang
term is pronounced as it's spelled.
Farrie — A derogatory name for the City of Barrie, Ontario, due to the
high percentage of Homosexual citizens.
The Falls — The City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
The Fax — An amiable name for Halifax, Nova Scotia's capital.
Freddy Town / Freddy Beach — The city of Fredericton, New
Brunswick.
The Fort — The city of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
Fort Mac — The city of Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Fort McMoney — Also refers to the city of Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Refers to the extremely high wages, extremely high costs, and high
growth of this northern isolated city.
The Fruit Belt — Refers to the Niagara Peninsula on account of the
large quantity of produce grown there.
The Gap — Saskatchewan and Manitoba - referring to the flat prairie
that makes up most of southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Sometimes used by Manitobans referring to Saskatchewan, although
the use of both provinces is more accurate.
Gasoline Alley — Refers to the vast strip of gas stations and fast food
outlets along both sides of Alberta Highway 2 immediately south of Red
Deer, Alberta. The term is so popular that it is now referenced in
freeway exit ramp signs.
Gay Bay – English Bay Beach in Vancouver, on the edge of the gay-
intensive West End. Usually used derisively (and not at all by the gay
community). There’s also “the Fruit Loop”, which is the park-sex part of
Stanley Park near Second Beach/Lost Lagoon.
The Gaybourhood — A section of central Toronto with a high
percentage of homosexual residents and businesses, radiating out from
the intersection of Church St. and Wellesley St.
The Ghetto — see McGill Ghetto, Queen's Ghetto
GOR — frequently used acronym for 'Greater Ottawa Region'.
Generally restricted to Ontario, but sometimes includes Gatineau,
Québec and surrounding area.
G-spot — A name for Guelph, Ontario
GTA — frequently used acronym for 'Greater Toronto Area'
Giv'er — The village of South River, Ontario. Adapted from the informal
town motto "Giv'er, Giv'er, South River!"
Harrison” — Harrison Hot Springs
Hali — Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Hammer — the City of Hamilton, Ontario
Hammer-Town — another name for Hamilton
Happy Rock — Gladstone, Manitoba
The Hat — Medicine Hat, Alberta
Heroin Mills — a nickname (in jest) of the suburb of Erin Mills in
Mississauga, Ontario.
Herring Choker — alternately any resident of the maritimes (though
most often in reference to a New Brunswicker), or a fisherman in the
Great Lakes region (usually of Scandinavian descent).
Highway 10 — Hurontario Road in Mississauga, Ontario, often used by
people who knew it as Highway 10 before it was downloaded to the
city. In BC's Lower Mainland, Highway 10, Number 10, or simply "ten"
refers to provincial highway 10, a major regional arterial which runs
from Langley City to Ladner and is identical to 56th Avenue across the
municipalities of Surrey and Delta.
The Hill — Richmond Hill, Ontario. Also alumni or student slang for
Simon Fraser University, which is atop Burnaby Mountain (really a large
hill). Also short for Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Hogtown — the City of Toronto
Hollywood North — the City of Vancouver, refers to the high number of
American films shot there. Can also refer to Toronto for the same
reason, but the context of the industry slang usage which coined this
term was specifically the British Columbian film industry, which is a
short flight away from Hollywood, CA.
Hongcouver — derogatory term for the City of Vancouver, referring to
the high number of Chinese immigrants. Originally coined by Chinese
street youth to brag about "the takeover" but once used by the National
Geographic for an article on the city's post-Expo Asian influx,
denounced by mainstream Chinese spokespeople as a racist term.
The Hub — in the city of Kingston, Ontario, refers to the intersection of
Princess and Division Sts. where a large confluence of bars is found
The Hub City — the city of Moncton, New Brunswick, the city of
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and the city of Nanaimo, British Columbia
The Interior — all of mainland British Columbia except the Lower
Mainland and the North Coast. Sometimes erroneously spelled by
Central Canadian editors as a non-capital 'i'. The Central Interior is
roughly the region bounded by Kamloops-Williams Lake, the Southern
Interior all the area south of that. Prince George and beyond is the
Northern Interior, typically referred to as "the North".
Ipperschwitz — used by some Army Cadets to refer to Camp
Ipperwash, Ontario; a reference to the death camp at Auschwitz and
obviously not complimentary.
The Island — in northern Ontario, referring to Manitoulin Island; in
Southwestern British Columbia, referring to Vancouver Island (as
opposed to the Islands which refers to the lesser islands as a group; in
Atlantic Canada, referring to Prince Edward Island; in Windsor, Nova
Scotia referring to Neisbet Street as it is on the other side of Highway
101 from the rest of the town.
Jokeville — Oakville, Ontario
The Kap — Kapuskasing, Ontario
K-Country — Kananaskis, Alberta
Kits — Vancouver's Kitsilano area. See also schiz. Archaic children's
fun-name was Kiss-a-rhino.
KW or Kdub — Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
Kwez'-nel — Quesnel, British Columbia. Never appears in print, only in
speech, and somewhat derogatory. Usual pronunciation is kweh-NEL,
the French original is roughly like the Celtic name "Connell".
Ktown, K-Town — Kingston, Ontario, Kelowna, British Columbia,
Kitchener, Ontario
L.A. — Lethbridge, Alberta
Lakehead, The Lakehead — Thunder Bay, Ontario
Langhole — district of Langford (Victoria, BC)
Left Coast — term used to refer to British Columbia; the phrase is often
applied in the United States to California; both are a reference to left-
wing politics and used to describe the more liberal attitudes of those
regions in comparison to the rest of the country. An early user of the
phrase was Allan Fotheringham, writing for the Sun chain of
newspapers.
Lethbian — Citizen of Lethbridge, Alberta
Lillywet — Lillooet, British Columbia. Pretty much only used by locals
and those in eeighbouring towns and areas. Lillooet is often
mispronounced this way, but when locals use it it's a joke-name with a
"hick" tone and is in the same category as Billy’s Puddle, Chilicootin or
Cache Crick or Pembertoonians.
the Line — the US-Canada border in British Columbia. Especially used
in the Lower Mainland, particularly the Fraser Valley and other areas
close to the border across the province.
The Loo — Waterloo, Ontario
The Loops — Kamloops, British Columbia
Loserpeg — derogatory nickname for Winnipeg, Manitoba
Lotus Land — British Columbia, especially the Lower Mainland around
Vancouver
Lower Mainland; the Greater Vancouver-Fraser valley area of BC,
apposite to "upcountry" (q.v), the Interior, the North, and the North
Coast. The origin of this term is that the Fraser delta-Vancouver area is
virtually at sea level, vs. the extreme heights of nearly all the
communities on the Interior Plateau, the "upper mainland" (though it is
never called such).
The Main — Saint Lawrence Boulevard in Montreal
Mainland — 1: All of British Columbia except the islands; 2: Used in
Cape Breton to refer to the rest of Nova Scotia. 3: Newfoundland and
Prince Edward Island Used to refer to the rest of Canada. See Lower
Mainland.
Mainlander — Used by Newfoundlanders and Prince Edward Islanders
to refer to a person from mainland Canada; often used in the
derogatory. Also used by Vancouver Islanders in the same way but
primarily referring to residents of the Greater Vancouver area.
the Malahat — a region of southern Vancovuer Island and the route of
the Trans-Canada Highway over its eastern mountain-rim above
Saanich Inlet, between Victoria and Duncan, B.C.. In ordinary usage
this term generally refers to the highway (and the state of its traffic or
road conditions).
Manisnowba — Manitoba, referring to the harsh winters with a large
average snowfall (see also Winterpeg)
McGill Ghetto — refers to the area surrounding McGill University where
many of its students reside. This term originally applied only to the area
north of Sherbrooke Street between Ave Universite and Ave Parc,
immediately east of the main McGill campus area.
The Met — refers to Quebec Autoroute 40
Metrotown – refers to the whole region of South Burnaby, British
Columbia, flanking Kingsway around the shopping centre of the same
name. Originally the name of the development but now part of ordinary
local speech for this area. Often used semi-derisively or to invoke
certain images of a group of large malls constantly packed, a certain
kind of traffic environment, bland high-density housing and the
atmosphere of the multiple-mall .
The MF — Short for Maryfield, Saskatchewan, a little place in the south
east part of the province.
Miseryauga — derogatory term used to describe Mississauga, Ontario
Mississausage — Toronto suburb Mississauga, Ontario
M-ton — non-deragotary term to describe Milton, Ontario
Monkeytown — Moncton, New Brunswick
Morgan's — in Montreal, the usual local name (even in French) for the
downtown Hudson's Bay Company department store, which originally
had been Morgan's Department Store. "Spencer's" is also sometimes
used to mean the Eaton's Department Store.
The Mountain — term used to describe the Niagara Escarpment that
passes through Hamilton, ON. Most decidedly NOT a mountain. Also
used in Montreal to mean Mount Royal, which also is decidedly NOT a
mountain. In BC, this term is sometimes used for Burnaby Mountain,
aka "the Hill", where Simon Fraser University is, but in general if you
were to use a sentence with "the Mountain" as if it were somewhere
specific, most people would say "Which mountain?.
Mount Unpleasant — somewhat derogatory term for Mount Pleasant, a
neighbourhood in Vancouver, not used as of late due to gentrification of
the area
MoWest — refers to the city of Montreal West, Quebec, just outside
Montreal.
Mudson — somewhat derogatory but lovingly local name for Edson,
Alberta, based on it's marshy underpinnings and substandard paving.
N.D.G. — refers to the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce district of Montreal
Newfie, Newf — a person from Newfoundland; often considered
derogatory if used by someone other than a Newfoundlander.
New West — New Westminster
No Fun City — An epithet for Vancouver, British Columbia referring to
the city's anti-public gatherings policies (the only major or "world class"
city worldwide that did not have a Y2K bash). Originally street/club
slang, now part of local media English, and regularly denied by the
politicians and other promoters of the city.
NOP — North of Princess, often derogatory. Princess, the principle
street in Kingston, also serves as a dividing line between middle and
lower class Kingston.Kingston, Ontario
Oak-vile — Oakville, Ontario
O-Dot — Orangeville, Ontario
O-Town — Ottawa, Ontario, to some, Oakville, Ontario
Onterrible — Derogatory Atlantic Canadian slang for Ontario.
Out East — A summary term used in Western Canada (BC specifically)
to classify anyone born and raised east of Manitoba- used with less
negative connotation as "Torontonian"
P-Town — Term used to describe Pickering, Ontario and Peterborough,
Ontario
The Peg — Winnipeg, Manitoba
Peg City — Winnipeg, Manitoba
PEIslander — a term ((used affectionately)) to describe a person from
Prince Edward Island
Pembertoonian — residents of the area of Pemberton, just northeast of
Whistler, and largely not used in Pemberton itself. This usage is
relatively common in Whistler, Lillooet and Squamish, but Pembertoon
is rare, if used at all. In the same category of mock-hick joke-names as
Lilly-wet, Willie's Puddle/Billy's Puddle, Chilicootin and Chilliywack.
People's Republic of Saskatchewan; a reference to the long history of
socialist government in that province.
Peterpatch or "the Patch" — Peterborough, Ontario
P.G. — Prince George, British Columbia
Pig's Gorge — Prince George, British Columbia, for the sulfide odour
from the digestion of pulp that fills the natural bowl like valley the city is
located in.
Pile O' Bones — Regina, Saskatchewan
The Plateau — a neighbourhood in Montreal, also shorthand-slang for
the Westwood Plateau area of Coquitlam, British Columbia.
Poco - Port Coquitlam; part of the “Tri-Cities”, aka PoCoMo, which is
(combined) Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and Port Moody, lately redubbed
the Northeast Sector because of smaller municipalities adjoining the
larger three (Anmore, Belcarra). Coquitlam is pronounced Ko-KWIT-lam
by the way (“stinking/rotting fish” is its meaning in Halqemeylem,
roughly translated)
PMS — Toronto Refers to Pickering, Mississauga and Scarborough.
Prince— Prince George, British Columbia
Queen City — Regina, Saskatchewan.
Queen's Ghetto — Refers to the area surrounding Queen's University
where many of its students reside.
Rancherie, the Rancherie — The rancherie is a frontier-era word
adapted from the California usage of the Spanish rancheria (meaning
the labourers' village on a rancho) still in common use referring to (in
each case) a certain residential area of an Indian Reserve, generally
the oldest one. Accent is on first syllable, "ch" as in Spanish and
English, not French. See also the Rez
R.D.P. — refers to the Rivière-des-Prairies district of Montreal
Redmonton — derogatory name for Edmonton, Alberta, referring to its
left-leaning politics relative to the rest of the province.
the Rez — An Indian Reserve, particularly its residential area. Found
across in Canada, generally used by First Nations English-speakers,
but in BC commonly used in towns and areas with large local native
populations, Indian Reserves are often right in town, or a
neighbourhood within town, so "you live up on the rez?" etc is fairly
common among non-First Nations people. See also Rancherie
the Ridge— Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Maple Ridge is also known
by the name of its downtown area Haney. That term, when said in a
certain light, refers to the local chapter of an outlaw motorcycle gang.
Ridge-Meadows Maple Ridge, British Columbia and Pitt Meadows
together. This has come into use in recent years in official use and
become current in speech as a result. It’s mostly used in corporate and
institutioanl/organization English, e.g. the Ridge-Meadows RCMP.
River City — Winnipeg, Manitoba
R.O.C. — "Rest of Canada", often used by Quebecois in conversations
with anglophones. (e.g. "This happens only in Quebec and not in the
R.O.C.")
The Rock — Newfoundland (also used for Vancouver Island on the
west coast, particularly for Greater Victoria)
Rocky — The town of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
Rupert — Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Sack Vegas — Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. Due to illegal home-
based casinos.
Saltchuck — In British Columbia, the chuck is a reference to water,
usually the straits and other inland waters between Vancouver and
Vancouver Island from the Chinook Jargon and commonly used in
marine English and in weather forecasts, e.g. it'll be fine out on the
saltchuck tomorrow. Also chuck.
Saskabush — Saskatchewan or in some circles, Saskatoon
SARSborough — Scarborough, a nickname for the Toronto suburb
following the SARS incident.
'Sauga — Mississauga, Ontario.
Scarcity — Nickname for Scarborough.
Scarghetto — Another derogatory name for Scarborough.
Scarbage — Yet another derogatory name for Scarborough.
Scarberia — Scarborough, a suburban part of Toronto, a derogatory
reference to its desolation.
Scarblackistan — Another name for Scarborough.
Scar Lanka — Another name for Scarborough.
Scarlem — Alternative name for Scarborough (refers to Harlem), a
derogatory reference to its somewhat high crime rate.
The 'Scarp - The Niagara Escarpment.
Sherwood Forest — A name for Sherwood Park, Alberta, a suburb of
Edmonton that has been known to incorporate aspects of the Robin
Hood mythos into its identity.
Schitz or Skits — slang for the Kitsilano area of Vancouver, also known
as Kits, from the short form for schizophrenic/shizoid
Scompton — Alternative name for Scarborough (refers to Compton,
Los Angeles, California), a derogatory reference to its somewhat high
crime rate.
Shitby — A derogatory name for Whitby, Ontario
The Shwa — Oshawa, Ontario
Singhdale — Reffering to the sub-division in Brampton, Ontario,
Referring to the amount of people of south asian decent.
Squaw, Lookout! — A derogatory and racist slur of Sioux Lookout,
Ontario, due to the high population of Native people.
Slurrey — Derogatory name for Surrey, British Columbia.
The Smoke — Toronto
South Shore — refers to Montreal's suburbs on the southern shore of
the Saint Lawrence River
Speedy Creek — Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Spudhead — a person from Prince Edward Island, in reference to the
province's abundance of potato farming
Squish, Squeamish, Sqampton — Squamish, British Columbia
St. Kitts — affectionate reference to the city of St. Catharines located in
the Niagara Regional Municipality, Ontario in Southern Ontario.
Steeltown — the city of Hamilton, Ontario
S'toon — Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Stubblejumper — a resident of the prairies.
T-Hill, T-Hiller— Thornhill, Ontario, A person hailing from Thornhill
Ontario
The Soo, The Sault — Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
The City That Fun Forgot — Ottawa, Ontario; frequently used by CHEZ
FM DJs Doc and Woody, when describing a newsstory where a group
of merrymakers are forced to stop
The Vag — Regina, Saskatchewan
Terminal City — Vancouver, in reference to the city being the terminus
of the Canadian Pacific Railway
Tijuana North — Windsor, Ontario, in reference to its reputation for
attracting 19 and 20-year old American youth to its numerous bars,
pubs and novelty clubs. Also refers to it's large casino ( Casino Windsor
) and its licensed escort services.
Tillbilly — a derogatory reference to residents of Tilbury, Ontario,
likening them to hillbillies
T.M.R. — Mont-Royal, Quebec
T. O. — Toronto
Tobacco Belt — refers to the large confluence of tobacco farms in
Southwestern Ontario, often around the Tillsonburg area.
the T-dot — Toronto (from T. O.), adapted in slang for almost any city
or town (eg. Ottawa becomes "the O-dot", London "L-dot", North Bay
"N-dot", Sarnia "S-dot", Peterborough "P-dot")
Tony Creek —Stoney Creek, a suburb of Hamilton with a large Italian
population which in a previous era had lived in downtown Hamilton.
TransCan, T-Can — reference to the Coast-to-Coast highway, also
called the Number 1. Begins in Victoria, British Columbia, ends in St
John's, Newfoundland. Is also the world's longest national highway at
7821km.
Trashcona — Derogative term for the suburb of Transcona on the North
East side of Winnipeg, Manitoba, used by people from the rest of
Winnipeg
Tundra Bay, T-Bay — Thunder Bay, Ontario
The Sturgeon Stretch — The straight stretch of Highway 17 between
Sturgeon Falls, Ontario and North Bay, Ontario
The Tunnel — in Windsor, Ontario, refers to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel
which links Windsor, Ontario in Canada with Detroit, Michigan in the
United States.
Toon Town, The Toon — Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Turkeytown — Derogatory East Coast term for Toronto
The 'ttwa — short form for Ottawa, Ontario
Upcountry — British Columbian term for the Interior and the province's
north. If used in the southern Interior, upcountry would mean the
northern Interior. Not generally used in reference to the Coast, in which
case Up Coast is more likely to be used. This expression is roughly
apposite to the "lower" sense of Lower Mainland. See also "the Bush".
Upper-Canadian — A name (usually derogatory) for a person from
Southern Ontario referring to the old (pre-1840) name for the province.
Usually used by Atlantic Canadians.
The Valley — Referring to Chemical Valley in Sarnia, Ontario. Mildly (or
affectionately) derogative, implying a rural lack of sophistication. Can
also refer to the Ottawa Valley, particularly rural areas thereof, as in
"He's a real valley boy" or "That's a wicked valley accent", or to the
Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, or to Valley East, part of Greater
Sudbury, Ontario, ex. "Those crazy Valley people", "I'm driving out to
the Valley" etc. In British Columbia, the capital-v Valley is invariably the
Lower Fraser Valley adjacent to Greater Vancouver. Other valleys in
the province are generally referred to by name, either in the formation
the Cowichan Valley or the Comox Valley or simply at the Okanagan,
the Bulkley, the North Thompson, i.e. with no "valley" required (though
sometimes attached, but non-capitalized)
Van (Van-City) — Vancouver. More commonly seen with the regions or
suburbs of Vancouver, e.g., East Vancouver, North Van, West Van.
Vansterdam — Vancouver. Referring to the large cannabis subculture
in the city of Vancouver.
Vic — Victoria. Also Vic West, which is the Victoria neighbourhood
between the Inner Harbour and the border of the City of Esquimalt. Vic
West is so current it is used in official names and documents, such as
those from the City of Victoria, and is also common in newscast
English.
Vicboria — nickname for Victoria, British Columbia
Waterloo-sers — Derogatory term used to refer primarily to people from
Waterloo, Ontario, or graduated or attending the University of Waterloo.
Water, Water, Water, Loo, Loo, Loo — Rallying cheer used in
University of Waterloo, to incite school spirit. Usually, a person having
control of an audience says Water, Water, Water, and the crowd is
supposed to answer Loo, Loo, Loo. The nature of UW makes it unlikely
to receive much response from a non-Arts crowd.
Wally-World — [Western Provinces], a common nickname for Wal-Mart.
In British Columbia, the nickname for the Whalley area of North Surrey
and its "special" atmosphere. See Surrey girl.
The West Coast — in all of Canada except British Columbia, the Lower
Mainland of that province, particularly Greater Vancouver itself. The
media usage "WestCoast" is a latter-day invention and represents an
"outside" world view. In British Columbia, the West Coast, if used in
conversation or heard in the media in a provincial context, most likely
will refer to the West Coast of Vancouver Island, particularly the Tofino-
Ucluelet area (Long Beach National Park).
Willie's Puddle — Williams Lake, British Columbia, used throughout the
Interior, but especially in the Cariboo. Also Billy's Puddle and the Lake
(which was also a name for its historic but recently-burned down beer
parlour/hotel)
Wop Bridge — Derogatory term for Woodbridge, Ontario in relation to
the Italian population of the city.
West Island — name given to the mostly suburban boroughs of the
western portion of the city of Montreal, also know as "The Waste Island"
(In a derogatory sense)
Wolfvegas — Annapolis Valley, name for Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Winterpeg — Winnipeg, referring to that city's harsh winters ("We're
goin' to Winterpeg, Manisnowba / Manitscoldout)
Whiteby — term for Whitby, Ontario referring to the city's abundance of
white residents
Woodbridge English — refers to the Brooklyn-like accent spoken by the
youth (chiefly of Mediterranean descent) of the generally Italian suburb
north of Toronto.
Yard Bird — term used for KFC (Kentucy Fried Chicken) or atleast by
Ol' How. Also referred to as 'Kentucky Duck'
This book was collected and printed through the internet, I just introduced it!
For more information send me an email at:
Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2009 by Mr. Doody. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the
written permission from Mr. Doody.

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