Canada is a country rich in culture, and its unique sayings reflect the warmth, friendliness, and quirky humour of its people.
From the East Coast to the West, Canadians have a way with words that often combines a sense of humour with practicality.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, understanding these sayings can deepen your appreciation of Canadian culture and bring a smile to your face. Let’s dive into some of the most popular sayings you’re likely to hear while traversing the Great White North!
Top List Of Popular Sayings in Canada
- “Eh?”
- “Double-double”
- “Toque”
- “Loonie” and “Toonie”
- “Take off, eh?”
- “Sorry”
- “Hoser”
- “Skookum”
- “Chesterfield”
- “Poutine”
- “Bunnyhug”
- “Pop”
- “Eavestrough”
- “Ketchup Chips”
- “Mountie”
- “Zed”
- “Kerfuffle”
- “Giver”
- “Toboggan”
- “Sore loser”
- “Rink rat”
- “Gooder”
- “BeaverTails”
1. “Eh?”
This classic Canadian expression is used to seek affirmation or agreement from the listener. It’s often added to the end of a statement, making it more conversational.
- Example 1: “It’s a beautiful day, eh?”
- Example 2: “You like hockey, eh?”
- Example 3: “We’re having poutine for dinner, eh?”
2. “Double-double”
In Canada, a “double-double” refers to a coffee with two creams and two sugars, a favourite order at Tim Hortons.
- Example 1: “I’ll take my coffee as a double-double, please.”
- Example 2: “What’s your go-to order? Mine’s always a double-double.”
- Example 3: “Can you grab me a double-double on your way?”
3. “Toque”
A “toque” is a warm, knitted hat worn in winter. It’s essential gear for surviving the frigid Canadian winters!
- Example 1: “Make sure to wear your toque; it’s freezing out!”
- Example 2: “I love my new toque; it’s so cozy.”
- Example 3: “You can never have too many toques in Canada.”
4. “Loonie” and “Toonie”
These terms refer to the Canadian one-dollar and two-dollar coins, respectively, named after the common loon depicted on the one-dollar coin.
- Example 1: “I found a loonie in my pocket!”
- Example 2: “It costs a toonie to get into the parking lot.”
- Example 3: “Do you have change for a loonie?”
5. “Take off, eh?”
This phrase is often used humorously to tell someone to leave or go away. It was popularized by the Canadian comedy duo Bob and Doug McKenzie.
- Example 1: “You’re being silly; take off, eh?”
- Example 2: “If you’re not going to help, then take off, eh?”
- Example 3: “I’m tired of your jokes; just take off, eh?”
6. “Sorry”
Canadians are known for being polite, and saying “sorry” is a way of acknowledging a situation, whether it’s your fault or not.
- Example 1: “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bump into you!”
- Example 2: “Oh, sorry! I didn’t hear you come in.”
- Example 3: “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you today.”
7. “Hoser”
This playful term refers to someone who is unsophisticated or a bit of a goof. It’s often used in a lighthearted manner among friends.
- Example 1: “You really are a hoser for forgetting your keys again.”
- Example 2: “Don’t be such a hoser; let’s go have some fun!”
- Example 3: “Only a hoser would wear socks with sandals!”
8. “Skookum”
This term means something is good, impressive, or strong. It comes from Indigenous languages and has been adopted into Canadian English.
- Example 1: “That’s a skookum idea for a project!”
- Example 2: “This hike is skookum; the views are incredible!”
- Example 3: “You did a skookum job on that presentation.”
9. “Chesterfield”
A term for a sofa or couch, “Chesterfield” is a nod to traditional furniture styles in Canada.
- Example 1: “Let’s relax on the Chesterfield and watch a movie.”
- Example 2: “My grandma has the comfiest Chesterfield in her living room.”
- Example 3: “I need to buy a new Chesterfield for my apartment.”
10. “Poutine”
While it refers to a beloved dish made of fries, cheese curds, and gravy, “poutine” has become a cultural icon in Canada.
- Example 1: “You haven’t lived until you’ve tried poutine.”
- Example 2: “Let’s grab some poutine after the game!”
- Example 3: “The best poutine is from that little diner downtown.”
11. “Bunnyhug”
In Saskatchewan, a “bunnyhug” is a hooded sweatshirt. It’s a cozy and casual staple in any Canadian wardrobe.
- Example 1: “I love wearing my bunnyhug during winter.”
- Example 2: “Grab your bunnyhug; it’s chilly outside!”
- Example 3: “He wore his bunnyhug all weekend.”
12. “Pop”
In Canada, carbonated soft drinks are often referred to as “pop,” a term that distinguishes it from other beverages.
- Example 1: “Can I get you a pop with your meal?”
- Example 2: “I’ll have a root beer pop, please.”
- Example 3: “What kind of pop do you want for the party?”
13. “Eavestrough”
This term refers to the gutters that run along the edge of a roof to catch rainwater. It’s a common feature in Canadian homes.
- Example 1: “The eavestrough needs cleaning before winter.”
- Example 2: “Make sure the eavestrough is clear to avoid water damage.”
- Example 3: “We just installed new eavestroughs on the house.”
14. “Ketchup Chips”
A uniquely Canadian snack, ketchup-flavoured potato chips are a must-try for any visitor.
- Example 1: “Have you tried ketchup chips? They’re surprisingly good!”
- Example 2: “I can’t find ketchup chips anywhere outside of Canada.”
- Example 3: “Ketchup chips are my guilty pleasure.”
15. “Mountie”
Short for Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), “Mountie” refers to the iconic police officers known for their red uniforms and horse patrols.
- Example 1: “Look! There’s a Mountie on horseback!”
- Example 2: “I love the Mountie’s uniform; it’s so traditional.”
- Example 3: “Mounties are a symbol of Canadian heritage.”
16. “Zed”
In Canada, the letter “Z” is pronounced as “zed,” distinguishing it from the American pronunciation “zee.”
- Example 1: “In Canada, we say ‘zed’ instead of ‘zee.’”
- Example 2: “The alphabet ends with ‘zed,’ not ‘zee’ here.”
- Example 3: “I’ll meet you at point ‘zed’ on the map.”
17. “Kerfuffle”
This fun word refers to a commotion or fuss. It’s often used to describe minor disagreements or misunderstandings.
- Example 1: “There was a kerfuffle at the meeting over the schedule.”
- Example 2: “Don’t create a kerfuffle over something so small!”
- Example 3: “It turned into a kerfuffle when everyone wanted to speak.”
18. “Giver”
To “giver” means to put in effort or give something your all. It’s a popular phrase in the context of sports and teamwork.
- Example 1: “Let’s giver and finish this project strong!”
- Example 2: “He really gave it his all; he’s a real giver.”
- Example 3: “We need to giver if we want to win this game.”
19. “Toboggan”
A toboggan is a traditional sled used for sliding down snowy hills, a beloved winter pastime in Canada.
- Example 1: “We’re going to take the toboggan out this weekend!”
- Example 2: “Racing down the hill on a toboggan is so much fun.”
- Example 3: “I love the thrill of tobogganing in winter.”
20. “Sore loser”
This saying refers to someone who reacts poorly to losing, often blaming others or complaining about the outcome.
- Example 1: “Don’t be a sore loser; it’s just a game!”
- Example 2: “He’s such a sore loser; he can’t handle defeat.”
- Example 3: “Try not to be a sore loser when you don’t win.”
21. “Rink rat”
A “rink rat” is a person who spends a lot of time at an ice rink, usually for hockey or skating.
- Example 1: “He’s such a rink rat; you’ll find him at the arena every day.”
- Example 2: “Rink rats know all the best spots to skate.”
- Example 3: “Being a rink rat has its perks; I’ve made so many friends.”
22. “Gooder”
While not grammatically correct, “gooder” is a humorous way to emphasize something is very good. It’s often used in a light-hearted context.
- Example 1: “That’s better than I expected!”
- Example 2: “This pizza is better than anything I’ve had.”
- Example 3: “It just keeps getting better and better!”
23. “BeaverTails”
This delicious Canadian pastry is deep-fried and topped with various sweet toppings, resembling a beaver’s tail.
- Example 1: “You have to try BeaverTails at the fair!”
- Example 2: “BeaverTails are a must when you visit Ottawa.”
- Example 3: “I love the chocolate and banana topping on my BeaverTail.”
Conclusion
These sayings give you a glimpse into the charming, friendly, and sometimes quirky culture of Canada. Whether you’re enjoying a hot cup of coffee, zipping down a snowy hill on a toboggan, or indulging in some poutine, you’ll find that the language and expressions of Canadians reflect their love for life and community. So, the next time you find yourself in Canada, sprinkle in a few of these sayings and connect with the locals—it’s a surefire way to brighten up your experience!
𝐈’𝐦 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 “𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 “𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬. 𝐈 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐀𝐭 “𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬” 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫.
Celia Anne