Canadianisms (contrasted and compared with the US)

EXPRESSIONS

"Eh?" Don't you think? Conversational device that allows an unconfrontational canadian to turn a statement into a poll of opinion. Canuck nickname for a Canadian clicks slang for kilometres or kilometres per hour hoser unsophisticated person keener boot-licker, brown-noser, suck-up kerfuffle commotion; flurry of agitation Molson muscle potbelly (Molson is a Canadian brand of beer) lineup line of people; queue "for sure" definitely to be on pogey to be on welfare mickey 375 ml. (13 oz.) bottle of liquor two-four case of beer containing 24 bottles arse, bum one's hind quarters.

WE CALL IT, THEY CALL IT

Food backbacon Canadian bacon icing sugar powdered sugar whitener powdered non-dairy creamer put in coffee or tea processed cheese american cheese chocolate bar candy bar. brown bread whole wheat bread homo milk whole milk rye & ginger canadian whiskey and gingerale Academic write (a test) take a test invigilate (an exam) to proctor an exam tutorial recitation marking (a test) grading a test public school elementary school supply teacher substitute teacher college community college Other zed (Z) zee (Z) chesterfield couch the bill what Canadians ask for in a restaurant (Americans ask for the check) eavestrough rain gutter on the eaves (edge of the roof) of a house elastic rubber band girl guides girl scouts housecoat robe or bathrobe hydro electricity serviette paper napkin tap faucet or spigot washroom bathroom track pants sweat pants runners tennis shoes muskoka chair large, usually wooden deck chair postal code zip code

THINGS YOU'LL ONLY FIND IN CANADA

Food beavertail deep-fried dessert pastry resembling a beaver's tail poutine French fries covered with cheese curds and gravy ketchup chips believe it or not vinegar on fries especially fish & chips butter tart a small, pecan-pie-like tart nanaimo bar a multilayer brownie and icing tortiere a french-canadian meat pie milk in a bag comes in a group of 3 bags Brands Smarties something like M&Ms Crispy Crunch chocolate bar Coffee Crisp chocolate bar Caramilk chocolate bar Shreddies cereal Other 5-pin bowling a smaller ball, and only 5 pins---great for kids and drunks mountie member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (like the FBI) toonie (or twoonie) Canadian two-dollar coin (since 1996) toque (or tuque) woollen, usually pointed cap worn in the winter

MEDIA THAT IS POPULAR IN CANADA BUT NOT IN THE US

David Wilcox not the american folk singer, the canadian blues guitarist and poet The Tragically Hip sell out multi-day festivals in canada, play 100-person bars in the US Bare Naked Ladies after many years, broke into the US on the "american pie" soundtrack Maclean and Maclean two low-brow Nova Scotian comedian/musicians

OTHER INTERESTING DIFFERENCES