60 Canadian Slang Words From Different Provinces And Territories Across Canada
Canada is home to several unique languages and dialects. All provinces and territories in the country have their own characteristic lexicons of idioms and slang, and together they make up an important part of Canada's unique heritage and history.
READ ALSO: Brutally Honest One-Word Descriptions Of Every Province And Territory In Canada
How well-versed are you in Canadian regional slang? Read on and find out!
Note: For the purposes of this article, the following regions of Canada will be considered. Some slang words may be transferrable across different regions:
British Columbia
Cabins - refers to vacation homes
Doeskin - a lumber jacket characterized by thick flannel in red and black or green and black
Ginch/gonch - a particular type of men's briefs that are threadbare
Hi-yu - refers to a party or gathering; literally means "many" (derived from Chinook jargon)
Kokanee - refers to a species of land-locked salmon
Neo-Grit - refers to a new-era member of the Liberal Party
Skookum - strong or robust
Slurrey - a derogatory name for Surrey, British Columbia
Squatch - a hairy man; possibly with bad hygiene
The Rock - refers to Vancouver Island (also used in the Maritimes to refer to Newfoundland)
The West / Prairies
Boot - to seek a provider of liquor (more common in Alberta)
Buckle Bunny - a female rodeo groupie
Bunny-hug - a hoodie (mainly Saskatchewan)
Gitch/gotch - variants to "ginch" or "gonch"
Jib - Crystal meth
Kitty-corner - refers to two things positioned diagonally opposite from each other
Pull - same meaning as "boot" (more common in Saskatchewan)
The Patch - refers to the oil industry in the Prairies (mainly Alberta)
Stubble jumper - refers to someone from the Prairies
Vi-Co - chocolate milk (more common in Saskatchewan and Manitoba)
Ontario
Camps/cottages - refers to vacation homes
Chirpin' - an aggresive, mean form of teasing
Click - refers to a kilometre distance measurement
Giv'n'r - describes any act carried out at maximum effort or potential
Jam buster - a jelly-filled donut (also in Manitoba)
Lick-bo - refers to the LCBO
Skid - refers to a poor kid
Takitish- translates to "take it easy"
Ten-ply - describes a wimp or weak person
Two-four - a case of 24 beers
Wheeling - to court someone
Quebec
Bines - pork and beans
Blochead - refers to an Anglophone within Quebec
Blonde - girlfriend (regardless of hair colour)
Chiffe - a shift at work
Chum - boyfriend
Dep - corner store (short for "depanneur")
Flyé - over the top; extravagant
Full - translates to "very much"
Smatte - a smart guy or a smart ass
Tof - difficult or rough
Atlantic Canada
Angishore - refers to a weak or miserable person
B'y - man, dude, pal or boy
Chucklehead - refers to a stupid person
Duckish - the period between sunset and the dark of night
Faggot - a bundle of half-dried fish
Gowdy - awkward
Huffed - to be cursed
Jinker - refers to someone who is a bringer of misfortune
Lashins - plentiful
Narn - none
Pogie - refers to social assistance of welfare
Rawny - thin or bony
Sure g'awn witcha - an exclamation of disbelief
Townie - refers to a person from St. John's
Yer - here
The North
Ever - precedes another word to add emphasis
Masi - translates to "thank you"
Muktuk - frozen whale skin and blubber
Itialuit - translates to "damn you"
Sourdough - a permanent resident in the Yukon (who has lived there all four seasons)
This is far from a complete list. What slang words from your province can you add?
