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A Typology of Canadianisms

dchp.arts.ubc.ca

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Re: A Typology of Canadianisms

#71

Post by drdec »

SECProto wrote: post #47
bee_rider wrote: post #11

I’m very upset to hear that > While brown bread may have contained some molasses in the early 1900s, post-WWII it was usually made without. So Canadian brown bread is, unlike Boston-style bread, not sweet (see the 1909 quotation) and also distinct from Irish brown bread, though the latter may have inspired it. Brown bread is sweet, and you are supposed to cut it up into little hockey pucks and toast it. It is the per…

That's a weird (or perhaps regional) definition. Brown bread I've had is always molasses sweetened. Source: ontario and provinces east. The boston canned brown bread i always assumed was a touristy thing, not something regularly consumed.

Massachusetts native, we regularly are brown bread from a can as a kid. Not a touristy thing.

Re: A Typology of Canadianisms

#72

Post by Forricide »

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 always assumed we just called it hydro in BC because so much of the power comes from hydroelectric, but then I moved and it seems we call it hydro everywhere no master source..?

Re: A Typology of Canadianisms

#73

Post by RandallBrown »

joshdavham wrote: post #32

Probably one of my favorite commonly-used Canadian slang is "to chirp someone". It's a term that's frequently used in hockey circles, but more generally means to make fun of someone in a banter-y kind of way.

It might be more popular in Canada but I think "chirping" is pretty common in the US.

Re: A Typology of Canadianisms

#74

Post by Forricide »

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.

This one (among others) does really fascinate me. Maybe it’s due to spending a lot of time around diverse groups of people but I’ve never really seen a huge distinction between these words. Washroom, bathroom, toilet, I and everyone I know pretty much would use interchangeably? Or at least wouldn’t blink at someone else using them.

Restroom, and a variety of others, might be slightly more usage specific but still… wouldn’t be unexpected or weird, I’d say?

Re: A Typology of Canadianisms

#75

Post by standeven »

Forricide wrote: post #72
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 always assumed we just called it hydro in BC because so much of the power comes from hydroelectric, but then I moved and it seems we call it hydro everywhere no master source..?

I think it’s primarily BC and Ontario. And maybe a French version in Quebec.

Re: A Typology of Canadianisms

#76

Post by Forricide »

standeven wrote: post #75
Forricide wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always assumed we just called it hydro in BC because so much of the power comes from hydroelectric, but then I moved and it seems we call it hydro everywhere no master source..?

I think it’s primarily BC and Ontario. And maybe a French version in Quebec.

That would definitely make the most sense. It’s also hydro in Quebec (hydro-Québec).

Re: A Typology of Canadianisms

#78

Post by dledesma »

Forricide wrote: post #72
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 always assumed we just called it hydro in BC because so much of the power comes from hydroelectric, but then I moved and it seems we call it hydro everywhere no master source..?

I've had to explain to an Albertan friend that hydro meant power, they mostly use coal out there from what I understand.

Re: A Typology of Canadianisms

#79

Post by marctrem »

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…

In Quebec French we use “toute garnie” to refer to a pizza with red sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, green peppers and pepperonis.

Re: A Typology of Canadianisms

#80

Post by xeonmc »

ajdude wrote: post #9
trashchomper wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As an Australian I always find it funny going places and having to remember which dance-around word everyone uses for "toilet". Washroom, restroom, bathroom, there's so many!

Don't forget water closet!

Not to be confused with Tungsten Carbide, a ceramic used for abrasives and ballpoint pen tips.
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