If you thought English is not such a complicated language then we are pleased to let you know that the following list of Canadian slang words and phrases will make you rethink that. Although having a conversation with Canadians is normally smooth sailing, when they bring out the big weapons a.k.a. the weird words they have grown accustomed to using over time, and which for non-Canadians are completely incomprehensible, well, then it’s game over. Or is it? Let’s have a look at some of the most common phrases you might hear while in Canada. 

Loonie/Toonie

If you ever happened to be shopping for anything in Canada you probably heard the words like Loonie or Toonie being tossed around, wondering what the heck are those. Put simply, it’s money. More specifically, a Loonie is what the Canadians call the one-dollar coin and a Toonie is a name for a two-dollar coin. Where do the names come from, you might be asking. Well, apparently Loonie takes its name from the loon (=bird) that is pictured on the coin and so logically, people started to call the coin Loonie. According to this logic, a two-dollar coin should be called Bearie (it depicts a polar bear), but we suspect Canadians went for the rhyming instead and called it a Toonie so that it rhymes with Loonie.

Chinook

It is said that only a true Canadian can recognize this word which has origins in the Inuit language. You can hear people using it in Alberta and other places with harsh cold weather in the winter. Chinook is a warm wind that is being blown over the mountains downhill raising the temperature. 

Double-Double & Timbits

Do you know how Americans love Starbucks and swear by it? Canadians have the same obsession with Tim Hortons, commonly nicknamed Tims or Timmies. It is a fast food restaurant chain, where Canadians grab their donuts and coffee. If you decide to go, make sure to order Timbits, which is the name of small ball-shaped doughnuts and you can order them along with one Double-double coffee. That’s what the locals call a cup of coffee with two creams and two sugars inside. 

Toque

Once it gets colder outside, you can see people wearing toques on their heads. If you are thinking that toque is another word for a beanie, then you are absolutely correct. The only difference might be that beanies can be made from thinner material and thus be worn also during warmer months, whereas toques are strictly designed for winter.

Keaner

Another word that you might hear in a daily conversation, especially in school or the workplace. It refers to a person who is extremely eager to demonstrate knowledge. 

Kerfuffle

If Canadians do not agree on something and they have a difference of opinion, things can get heated and a kerfuffle might follow. It can be anything from a small fuss to a huge ring fight. 

Did you know that…

A member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is called a Mountie?

A non-alcoholic soft drink is referred to as Pop?

A 375ml bottle of liquor is known as Mickey?

Canadians do not pay electricity/utility bills but instead, they pay Hydro?

Kilometers are sometimes called Clicks?

Canadians call beer belly Molson Muscle?

Running shoes, athletic shoes, and tennis shoes are simply called Runners?

A bathroom or restroom in Canada is known as a Washroom?

In Yukon, a newcomer is called a Cheechako?

Canadians do not smoke cigarettes but they smoke Darts?

A bathrobe is called a Housecoat?

In Saskatchewan, a hoodie is referred to as a Bunnyhug?

Did we miss any Canadian slang words that you know? Let us know in the comments!