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cbabe

(5,269 posts) Tue Jul 1, 2025, 11:04 AM Jul 1

Happy Canada Day, eh! From 'giv'er' to 'freezie': Online dictionary highlights uniquely Canadian terms

https://www.cp24.com/news/canada/2025/07/01/from-giver-to-freezie-online-dictionary-highlights-uniquely-canadian-terms/

From ‘giv’er’ to ‘freezie’: Online dictionary highlights uniquely Canadian terms

By Lisa Steacy
Published: July 01, 2025 at 8:00AM EDT

Just in time for Canada Day, a team of B.C. researchers has updated an online dictionary of “Canadianisms” – words and phrases unique to the country ranging from serious to slangy, trivial to tragic, prosaic to political.

The Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles got its most recent update this year and is now mobile-friendly. In total, the third edition contains more than 14,500 meanings for more than 12,000 words.

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On the lighter side, using the term “Canadian tuxedo” to refer to an all-denim ensemble is another new entry – with the dictionary noting its popularity grew in the 2000s after the release of the movie “Super Troopers.”

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Other new additions to the dictionary include iconic Canadian foods – ketchup chips and Nanaimo bars. Nicknames for cities also feature, including “Raincouver,” “T-dot,” and “the Peg.”

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A quiz where people can test their knowledge of Canadianisms can be found on the UBC website.

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Happy Canada Day, eh! From 'giv'er' to 'freezie': Online dictionary highlights uniquely Canadian terms (Original Post) cbabe Jul 1 OP

The Peg is also known as WindyPeg, Toronto as Trawna, The Six, The Big Smoke (less these days), T.O. Bernardo de La Paz Jul 1 #1

And a Happy Canada Day to you, albeit belatedly. BobTheSubgenius Jul 2 #2

Bernardo de La Paz

(57,178 posts)

1. The Peg is also known as WindyPeg, Toronto as Trawna, The Six, The Big Smoke (less these days), T.O.

Reply to cbabe (Original post)

Tue Jul 1, 2025, 11:13 AM

Jul 1

Toque is well known even by Americans (rhymes with juke).

Beaver tails are not what you think.

Can-con is Canadian Content, a percentage mandated on media outlets to resist being crushed by the massive weight of US cultural imperialism.

BobTheSubgenius

(12,052 posts)

2. And a Happy Canada Day to you, albeit belatedly.

Reply to cbabe (Original post)

Wed Jul 2, 2025, 12:27 PM

Jul 2

It was definitely the most heart-felt Canada Day of my lifetime. People were saying it with enthusiasm, not just as pro forma, and Canadian flags were everywhere. My wife and I live in a gated townhouse complex, and there were few units indeed that lacked a flag. She is currently at her home of WNY, and I am curious about how the 4th will be celebrated there this year.

Plucky, though quiet, she wore her Elbows Up Tshirt quite proudly, but I suggested she not wear it while crossing the border into the US. Those border agents have sweeping powers, although I doubt they would, or are able to, do much about the re-entry of a citizen.

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