14 Toronto Slang Phrases You’ll Only Understand If You’re Fluent In Torontonian
There's no place in the world quite like the 6ix. We've got our own culture, our own distinct swagger and basically our own language. If you aren't from the GTA or haven't visited in a while, chances are this list of 2019 Toronto slang phrases won't make sense to you. However, if you're a homegrown Torontonian or even an expat, you've probably added a few of these "tings" to your vocabulary.
1. "HOOOOLY"
As in “holy you’re doing too much” or as the kids use to say, “chill out man.” Pay special attention to the extra o’s on that word because if you’re not drawing it out, you’re not saying it right.
2. “Cuzo”
Despite its obvious similarities to the word “cousin,” this phrase is more general. It’s a term of affection like “bro” or “my dude.”
3. “Fam”
This phrase is so Toronto that within months of moving here, you’ll find yourself saying it. It’s another term of endearment. It’s short for “family” — used in a sentence, “Hey fam good to see you, it's been a minute!”
4. “Waste”
I’ll save you the semantics on this one. If someone calls you “waste” it’s a bad thing.
5. “Yute”
Somewhere along the way in Toronto’s history, the word “youth” became “yute.” That’s all it means. It means you’re young, nothing wrong with that. As long as you’re not a “waste yute.”
6. “Ting”
Thing. It means thing. If you’re starting to notice a pattern of abbreviations, you’re not the only one.
7. “Reach”
As in, “reach my place if you want to hang out.” If you’re a Torontonian, you don’t say, “I’ll call you," you say, “I’ll reach you.” Why? I don’t know, I don’t make the rules here.
8. “Nize It”
If someone in Toronto starts telling you to “nize” or nize it,” it means they are telling you to be quiet or shut up altogether.
9. “Run That”
If you want someone to give you something in the 6ix, chances are you can probably just tell that person to “run that” to you, and they’ll know what you mean.
10. “A Lie”
This one usually comes in the form of a question, usually to ask whether or not the person agrees with your statement. As in, "You're coming to the bar with us later, a lie?"
11. “Wagwan”
This hilarious greeting is actually an abbreviation of “what’s going on?”
12. “Slime”
If someone says, “you’re slime” or that “you’re doing slimy stuff” It means you can’t be trusted, and people don’t feel safe around you.
13. “Breeze”
Beat it. Scram, or in Torontonian, “Breeze, fam.”
14. "In Da"
If someone in the GTA is going somewhere or doing something that you would like to part of you, say, “I am in da that life.”