Canada and the United States share a border, a language, and many cultural similarities. Yet, when it comes to certain words and phrases, these two North American neighbors can sometimes feel worlds apart. Despite speaking English, Canadians have developed their own unique expressions that often leave Americans scratching their heads in confusion.
These linguistic quirks range from everyday sayings to regional slang, offering a fascinating glimpse into the subtle differences between Canadian and American English.
Double-double
A double-double is a popular coffee order at Tim Hortons, a Canadian coffee shop chain. It means a coffee with two creams and two sugars. This term is so common in Canada that many people use it at other coffee shops too. Americans might think it’s a special type of coffee drink, but it’s just a simple way to order a regular coffee with extras.
Washroom
Washroom is the Canadian word for what Americans call a restroom or bathroom. This term is used for public toilets in places like restaurants, schools, or stores. Canadians use this word even when there’s no bath or shower in the room. Americans visiting Canada might be confused when they see signs for “washrooms” instead of “restrooms.”
Kerfuffle
A kerfuffle is a funny-sounding word that means a noisy argument or disagreement. It’s used in Canada to describe a small problem or disturbance that’s not too serious. This word comes from old Scottish English. Americans might think it sounds made-up, but it’s a real word that Canadians use often.
Garburator
Garburator is the Canadian term for what Americans call a garbage disposal. It’s the machine in some kitchen sinks that grinds up food waste. This word is a mix of “garbage” and “obturator,” which means something that blocks an opening. Americans might think this word sounds like a scary machine, but it’s just a normal kitchen tool in Canada.
Chesterfield
Chesterfield is an old-fashioned Canadian word for what most people now call a couch or sofa. It comes from a type of sofa first made in the 1700s for a British earl. While this term is less common now, especially among younger Canadians, it can still confuse Americans who hear it. They might think it’s a brand name or a special type of furniture.
Toque
A toque is what Canadians call a warm, knitted hat worn in cold weather. In the United States, people usually call this type of hat a beanie. Toques are very important in Canada because of the long, cold winters. The word comes from French and is pronounced like “too-k.”
Loonie
Loonie is the nickname for the Canadian one-dollar coin. It got this name because there’s a picture of a loon, a type of bird, on one side of the coin. The loonie was first made in 1987 to replace paper one-dollar bills. Americans might think this word sounds silly, but it’s a normal part of everyday talk in Canada.
Homo milk
Homo milk is short for homogenized milk, which is whole milk with about 3.25% fat. In Canada, this is the common way to ask for whole milk at the store. Americans might be confused or even shocked by this term because it sounds like a rude word. It’s important to know that in Canada, it’s just a normal way to talk about milk.
Mickey
In Canada, a mickey is a small bottle of liquor, usually 375 mL. This term isn’t used in the United States, where people might think “mickey” refers to Mickey Mouse. The origin of this Canadian slang is unclear, but it’s been used since the 1950s. Americans might be puzzled when a Canadian asks for a “mickey of rum” at a liquor store.
Pencil crayon
Pencil crayon is the Canadian term for what Americans call colored pencils. These are the coloring tools that look like regular pencils but have colored lead instead of graphite. This term combines the words for two different things: pencils and crayons. Americans might think Canadians are talking about some special art supplies when they hear this phrase.
Chinook
A chinook is a warm wind that blows down the east side of the Rocky Mountains in western Canada. It can cause sudden temperature increases in winter, sometimes melting snow very quickly. The word comes from the name of an Indigenous people in the Pacific Northwest. Americans, especially those not from the northwest, might not understand what Canadians mean when they talk about a chinook coming.
Poutine
Poutine is a famous Canadian dish made of french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. It started in Quebec but is now popular all over Canada. While some Americans near the Canadian border might know this dish, many others have never heard of it. Poutine can be confusing to Americans because it’s very different from typical U.S. fast food.
Parkade
A parkade is what Canadians call a multi-level parking garage. This word is a combination of “park” and “arcade,” meaning a covered passageway. In the United States, people usually just say “parking garage” or “parking structure.” Americans visiting Canada might be confused when they see signs for “parkade” when looking for a place to park their car.
Give’r
Give’r is Canadian slang that means to put in a lot of effort or to go for it with enthusiasm. It’s a shorter way of saying, “Give it all you’ve got” or “Give it your all.” This phrase is used to encourage someone or to describe working hard at something. Americans might be confused by this term because it’s not common in U.S. slang and sounds like an unfinished sentence.
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