How to Speak Canadian: Essential Slang Words and Phrases Explained

Want to speak like a real Canadian, eh? From Tim Hortons runs to two-fours at the cottage, Canadian slang is as diverse as our country itself. While we may sound similar to our American neighbors, trust us—we’ve got our own weird, wonderful, and wildly confusing phrases.

Whether you’re ordering a double-double, dodging a rink rat, or kicking back in a Muskoka chair, we’ve got you covered with this ultimate guide to Canadian slang words and phrases. So, before you throw a Chesterfield kerfuffle, let’s dive in, eh?

Canadian Slang – How To Speak Canadian

Most people think Canadians speak a lot like our American neighbours, but the truth is, we’re a little weird up here in the Great White North. Plus, Canadians can pick out a Canadian accent anytime so don’t think that sewing a Canadian flag on your backpack suddenly turns you into a Canuck.

1. Canuck

The word Canuck is one of my favourites. This term referes to Canadians. We have the Vancouver Canucks, one of Canada’s most beloved hockey teams, and in the 1980s, our downhill skiers who dominated the World Cup circuit were called the Crazy Canucks, and I am personally a proud Canuck. If you haven’t figured it out yet, Canuck is another term for a Canadian. It’s so much simpler and shorter. I’m a Canuck man!

2. Eh

This is our most popular Canadian saying and everyone mocks us by using “eh” in the most ridiculous phrases and they never get it right. So I am going to give you a quick lesson on how to the word “eh”.
All you have to do is make a statement like “It is a very nice day out today.” If you add “eh” to the end of that statement, you can turn it into a question that will require a friendly reply from the person you are talking to.

3. Loonie and Toonie

Our one-dollar coin is called a “Loonie” (thanks to the loon on it). Naturally, when the two-dollar coin came out, we named it a “Toonie” because it rhymes with Loonie. Logical, right?

4. Tuque

A knit winter hat, known elsewhere around the world as a beanie. Every Canadian owns at least one. I went my entire childhood and a large portion of my adult life not realizing that this was a word only used in Canada. “Tuque” as it is spelled in Quebec (it is spelled toque in English Canada) is a unique Canadian slang word used across the country to describe a winter hat. Buy your own Canadian tuque on Amazon. 

5. Hoser

Speaking of Bob and Doug Mackenzie, it was these two lovable Hosers that brought the term Hoser to the mainstream in Canada. Hoser is an old-school insult made famous by Bob and Doug McKenzie, meaning an idiot or loser. Example:
“Take off, ya hoser!”

6. Regular / Double-Double

At Tim Hortons, a “regular” coffee comes with one cream and one sugar. A “double-double”? Two creams, two sugars. Sweet enough to make a beaver blush.

7. Rink Rat

Someone who practically lives at the hockey rink, whether they’re a player, skater, or just a superfan. I was a rink rat, people were always saying “She’s a real rink rat, always practicing her skating.”

8. Two-Four

A case of 24 beers. “Pick up a two-four for the party.” We buy our beer at the Beer Store in Canada and a box of 24 beers is simply shortened to the words “two four.”

9. Molson Muscle

A beer belly. “He’s been working on his Molson muscle all winter.” Well, older Canadians anyway. Most of the GenZ drink craft beer, and wouldn’t touch Molson.

10. Hydro

Canadians don’t pay an “electric bill.” We pay for hydro, even in places where our power isn’t hydroelectric.

11. Knapsack

Our word for backpack or rucksack, especially among grade school students.

12. Washroom

Forget “restroom” or “bathroom.” In Canada, it’s always the washroom.

13. Chocolate Bar

What the rest of the world calls a candy bar.

14. Chinook

A warm winter wind that can melt Alberta’s snow in hours. Being born in Alberta, Canada, my parents often talked about Chinooks blowing in from the mountains, bringing warmer weather from British Columbia, and how nice it was.

15. Out and About Not Oot and Aboot

We don’t say “oot and aboot.” It’s closer to “a-boat.” Trust us. If you really want to delve into the reasoning for the difference. Check out Grammar Girl. She explains the diphthong differences eloquently here. 

16. Zed

Canadians say “Zed” instead of “Zee” for the letter Z—except when referring to ZZ Top. I used to drive a Zed 28 car. Americans call it Zee28, and that’s just weird.

17. May 2 – 4 Weekend

Victoria Day weekend, often celebrated by drinking a case of 24 beers. “We’re heading to the cottage for May Two-Four.”

18. Poutine

Canada’s national dish—fries, cheese curds, and gravy. “Let’s grab some poutine after the bar.” Best enjoyed at 3 AM. Read more about Canadian foods such as the Beaver Tail and Nanaimo Bar at our post: Top Must-Try Canadian Foods for Foodies and Travelers

19. Bunny Hug

Saskatchewan’s unique term for a hoodie (yes, really). “It’s chilly; grab your bunny hug.”

20. Stag and Stagette or Stag and Doe

Our version of bachelor and bachelorette parties. A pre-wedding party to raise funds for the couple. “They’re hosting a stag and doe next month.”

21. Bachelor Apartment

And speaking of the term bachelor we call a studio apartment or a small apartment without a separate bedroom a bachelor apartment with an open living and sleeping space. “I found a cozy bachelor downtown.”

22. Kerfuffle

A commotion or fuss. “There was a real kerfuffle at the rink last night.”

23. Newfie

A Newfie is a slang word to describe a person from the Canadian province of Newfoundland. People from Newfoundland often refer to themselves as Newfies, and many Canadians call people from Newfoundland Newfies. It is an endearing term of love and respect. However, we usually stick with Newfoundlanders. Note: When it comes to pronouncing Newfound land, do not over pronounce the “Found.” Instead, make it sound more like “Newfanland”. That’s more Canadian.

24. Runners

Canadians don’t wear sneakers—we wear run

25. Clicks

Canadian speak for kilometers. Example: Toronto is about 500 clicks from Montreal.”

26. Kraft Dinner

Our beloved mac and cheese, immortalized in song by the Barenaked Ladies.

27. The 6ix

Toronto’s nickname, popularized by Drake.

28. Cowtown

A nickname for Calgary, thanks to its cowboy culture.

29. The Peg

A nickname for Winnipeg (formerly “Winterpeg”).

30 . Beauty

When something’s top-notch, we call it a “beauty.” Scored tickets to a Leafs game? “Beauty, eh!”

31. Mountie

A member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

32. Pencil Crayon

What we call colored pencils.

33. Keener

Someone who’s overly eager or enthusiastic, often the teacher’s pet. “That keener finished the assignment a week early.”

33. Chesterfield

An old-school term for a couch or sofa.

34. Pop

Americans say “soda.” We say pop.

35. Convenience Store

The corner store where you grab snacks and essentials.

36. Darts

Canadian slang for a cigarette. “Goin’ out for a dart” means you’re stepping outside to smoke.

37. Parkade

A multi-level parking garage, mostly used in Western Canada.

38. Serviette

A napkin, but fancier.

39. Buddy / Bud

In the Maritimes, “buddy” is a universal stand-in for a person’s name. Didn’t catch someone’s name? Just call ’em “buddy.” It’s the Canadian way.

39. Hang a Larry / Hang a Roger

Need directions? “Hang a Larry” means turn left; “Hang a Roger” means turn right. Why Larry and Roger? Your guess is as good as ours.

40. Mickey / Texas Mickey

A “mickey” is a 375ml bottle of liquor—perfect for slipping into your pocket. A “Texas mickey”? That’s a whopping 3-liter bottle. Proceed with caution.

41. Bloody Caesar

Canada’s version of a Bloody Mary, made with Clamato juice (clam and tomato juice).

42. Deke

A hockey move where a player fakes out an opponent. Off the ice, it means to dodge or avoid something.

43. Lineup

What others call a queue, we call a lineup. “There’s a lineup at Timmies this morning.”

44. For Sure

A definitive yes. “You coming to the party?” “For sure!”

45. To Be On Pogey

Being on welfare or unemployment benefits. “He’s been on pogey since the mill closed.”

46. Chirping

Good-natured teasing or taunting, especially in sports. “The players were chirping each other all game.”

47. Goon

A tough guy or enforcer, especially in hockey. “The team’s goon got into a fight.”

48. Timbits

Donut holes from Tim Hortons. “I’ll grab a box of Timbits for the meeting.”

49. Eavestrough

What others might call a gutter. “Clean the leaves out of the eavestrough before winter.”

50. Gas Bar

A gas station, often with a convenience store. “Let’s stop at the gas bar for snacks.”

51. Freezie

A frozen flavored ice treat. “I loved eating freezies during summer as a kid.”

52. Snowbirds

Canadians who migrate south for the winter. “My grandparents are snowbirds; they spend winters in Florida.”

53. Puck Bunny

A fan, typically female, who is more interested in the players than the game. “She’s such a puck bunny, always hanging around the rink.”

54. Gong Show

A chaotic or wild event. “That party turned into a real gong show.”

55. Fill Yer Boots

An invitation to take as much as you want. “We’ve got plenty of food, so fill yer boots!”

56. What You Sayin’?

A casual greeting meaning “What are you up to?” “Hey

57. Jesus murphy

Yep, I am guilty of using this one a lot and apparently it is a unique Canadian term.

58. Muskoka Chair

The ultimate Canadian chill spot—found on every dock, cottage deck, and lakeside retreat. While Americans call it an Adirondack chair, we all know the Muskoka chair reigns supreme. Grab a beer, kick back, and enjoy the view, eh?

So, there you have it, many things Canadians say that are a little bit out of the ordinary up here in the Great White North. So, when you visit Canada, make sure to enjoy our beaver tails, use the metric system and when you are heading out to the East Coast make sure to endearingly call a Newfoundlander a Newfie. Got it?

Can you think of any other Canadian sayings that are unique to your region or the country? Tell us some words unique to your country, we want to hear them.

For more fun Canadian Facts, check out