12 Canadian Words and Phrases the US Just Doesn’t Grasp

Canada and the U.S. share a long border, a love for hockey, and a lot of cultural overlap. However, Canadians throw in some words and phrases that leave Americans scratching their heads when it comes to language. Imagine visiting a Canadian friend and hearing, “I’ll grab a double-double, then we’ll head to the washroom before hitting the 401.” You nod along, pretending to understand, but inside, you are confused.

This list is for you if you’ve ever been in that situation. Here are 12 Canadian words and phrases that might have you saying, “Wait, what?”

Toque

A beanie, a knit cap, a winter hat, whatever you call it, Canadians call it a “toque” (pronounced “toohk”). If you show up in Canada without one in January, someone might hand you a toque while giving you a look of deep concern.

Loonie and Toonie

Canadians don’t just call their coins “one-dollar” and “two-dollar.” The $1 coin is a “loonie” because it features a loon (a bird). Naturally, when the $2 coin arrived, people called it a “toonie.” If America followed this logic, you’d probably be paying for things with a “Georgie” (for Washington) and a “Tommy” (for Jefferson).

KD

Ask a Canadian what they had for dinner, and they might casually say “KD.” That’s Kraft Dinner, what Americans call Kraft Mac & Cheese. It’s a staple in Canadian households, beloved by college students and anyone who needs a cheap, cheesy meal in minutes.

Give’r

This is the Canadian version of “go for it” or “put in some effort.” If someone tells you to “give’r,” they mean work hard, go fast, or just send it. Picture a guy on a snowmobile launching off a jump; he’s giving’r.

Double-double

Order a coffee in Canada, and you might hear someone say, “Gimme a double-double.” This means two creams and two sugars, usually from Tim Hortons, Canada’s most beloved coffee chain. Try using this term at a U.S. Starbucks, and the barista will stare at you like you just ordered a unicorn latte.

Pop

Americans say “soda” or “coke” (even when they mean Pepsi). Canadians say “pop.” This one might not sound too strange, but try asking for “pop” in some U.S. states, and you’ll get blank stares or, worse, a lecture on how “soda” is the only correct term.

Washroom

Canadians don’t say “bathroom” or “restroom.” It’s always “washroom.” If you ask for a bathroom, you might get directed to an actual bathtub. If you ask for a restroom, you’ll sound too formal. “Washroom” is the perfect middle ground; it’s practical and polite, just like Canada.

Eavestrough

Americans call them “gutters.” Canadians call them “eavestroughs.” It makes sense, troughs attached to the eaves of a house. Logical, right? But good luck explaining that to an American roofer.

Mickey

A “mickey” in Canada isn’t a mouse; it’s a small 375ml liquor bottle. If you tell an American you’re bringing a Mickey to the party, they might assume you’ve kidnapped a Disney character.

Hydro

In Canada, “hydro” means electricity. “My hydro bill is outrageous” means the power company takes all your money. Americans think “hydro” means something water-related, but in Canada, it refers to hydroelectric power because most of the country’s electricity comes from water.

Chirping

Hockey culture runs deep in Canada, as does the art of “chirping.” This means talking smack, usually in a funny or lighthearted way. If a Canadian says, “Nice shot, bud,” after you miss the net, congratulations, you’ve been chirped.

Out for a Rip

A Canadian might say, “Just going out for a rip, bud.” This means they’re going for a drive, a snowmobile ride, or a good time. If you assume they mean tearing up a piece of paper, well, that’s fair but also incorrect.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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