A Typology of Canadianisms

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jul 10, 2025, 1:11 PM UTC

olalonde wrote: post #183

af78 wrote: post #161

Earlier quoted context omitted.

« Melon d'eau » ? For watermelon? I thought it was a joke, but well, Wikipedia mentions it: « La pastèque [...], parfois appelée melon d'eau » ( https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Past%C3%A8que ) Everyone says « pastèque » in mainland France, where I've lived for over 40 years. I've never seen melon d'eau and I doubt anyone will understand it unless they know the English word.

Conversely, I'm a native French speaker from Quebec, and honestly, this is the first time I've ever come across the word "pastèque."

Post by throaway955 » Thu, Jul 10, 2025, 1:12 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 throaway955 » Thu, Jul 10, 2025, 1:13 PM UTC

zahlman wrote: post #135

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.

> most single-family homes in Canada have a “powder room” where people can wash their face and hands. I think only people of a very specific upbringing ever call it that here. Certainly nobody in my circles would.

Post by geophile » Thu, Jul 10, 2025, 1:15 PM UTC

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…

Post by throaway955 » Thu, Jul 10, 2025, 1:17 PM UTC

throwawaymaths wrote: post #117

as someone who learned continental french, when i visited quebec i saw "melon d'eau" and i nearly lost it.