A Typology of Canadianisms

Post by mykowebhn » Thu, Jul 10, 2025, 12:58 PM UTC

slumberlust wrote: post #185

mykowebhn wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I initially worked in Canada where it wouldn't be uncommon to go out for a work lunch and order a beer. When I got a new job in the US, my boss took me and several coworkers to a restaurant for lunch as a way to welcome me. When the waitress asked what I wanted to drink I asked for a beer. I then heard one of my coworkers who was sitting next to me ask me incredulously, "What are you doing?" I responded that I was or…

Many companies and cultures in the US are fine with a drink or two at lunch. What industry was this company in?

Post by red-iron-pine » Thu, Jul 10, 2025, 12:58 PM UTC

mykowebhn wrote: post #180

michaelmior wrote: post #69

As a Canadian who married an American and now lived in the US, I was surprised how many things I say are Canadianisms without me having realized. There have been a lot of (minor) miscommunications because I didn't realize I was saying something only Canadians understand. Like when I told her that my parents' hydro had been out all day.

I initially worked in Canada where it wouldn't be uncommon to go out for a work lunch and order a beer. When I got a new job in the US, my boss took me and several coworkers to a restaurant for lunch as a way to welcome me. When the waitress asked what I wanted to drink I asked for a beer. I then heard one of my coworkers who was sitting next to me ask me incredulously, "What are you doing?" I responded that I was or…

Post by ChoGGi » Thu, Jul 10, 2025, 1:00 PM UTC

joshdavham wrote: post #27

neurobashing wrote: post #12

Sad to not see "dart" in there, I assumed from Letterkenny that it was a regular Canadianism. Perhaps it's too new?

"Dart" is absolutely still used. "Eh bud. Can I bum a dart from ya?"

Post by werdnapk » Thu, Jul 10, 2025, 1:01 PM UTC

sheepscreek wrote: post #7

Washroom vs. bathroom: I’ve always found it strange to call a room a “bathroom” if it doesn’t have a shower or tub. On the other hand, most single-family homes in Canada have a “powder room” where people can wash their face and hands. Although these facilities serve similar purposes, the former is used for public spaces, while the latter is found inside homes.

Post by dghughes » Thu, Jul 10, 2025, 1:01 PM UTC

zahlman wrote: post #128

nucleardog wrote: post #51

Surprising one for me was "all dressed" as a term for, e.g., a pizza with all the toppings. Apparently it's a direct translation from French and is pretty exclusive to Quebec English and the Easternmost part of Ontario (which is heavily French). And Saskatchewan. Which the site notes is "a bit of a mystery". Also found "parkade" interesting--apparently it's still much more heavily used in Western Canada, and they att…

> Surprising one for me was "all dressed" as a term for, e.g., a pizza with all the toppings. What on Earth. Wikipedia tells me: > An all-dressed chip called The Whole Shabang is produced by American prison supplier Keefe Group. It became available to the general public in 2016.[4] Frito-Lay began selling all-dressed Ruffles potato chips in the United States that same year.[5] I had assumed the entire time that every…