Talking to Canadians can definitely be confusing—and it happens a lot. Americans especially might not get the way Canadians talk. If you’ve ever wondered what it means when a Canadian says they’re “going to give’r” or what a “two-four” is (you’re not the only one), this list will clear things up—so next time, you’ll know exactly what they mean.
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“That Guy’s Such a Keener”
If someone’s trying a little too hard, a Canadian might roll their eyes and say, “Ugh, that guy’s such a keener.” There’s one in every office (you know the type), always doing the most. If you’re American, you might just be wondering what that even means.
“I’m Going to Give’r!”
You might hear someone excitedly shout: “Today I’m going to give’r on the slopes!” Although Americans might think it means giving up, Canadians use “going to give’r” to say they’re ready to do something with all their effort.
“Just Grab a Two-four”
If you’re going to a party or spending the weekend at a cottage in Canada, someone will probably tell you to grab a two-four. It’s just a 24-pack of beer, but Canadians never call it a “case” like Americans do.
“I Was On the 401, And It Was a Gong Show”
When everything’s a total mess, Canadians call it a gong show. The phrase comes from a ’70s TV show where bad performances got cut off with a gong. So if you’re stuck in a nightmare traffic jam on Ontario’s busiest highway (the 401), don’t be surprised if someone shakes their head and says, “What a gong show.”
“I’ll Take a Double-double”
If you’re at Tim Hortons in Canada and someone orders a “double-double,” they’re just asking for a coffee with two creams & two sugars. It’s a classic Canadian order, so if you’ve never heard of it, you probably haven’t spent enough time at Timmy’s.
“I Got It for a Loonie”
In Canada, a dollar coin is called a loonie (thanks to the loon bird on it). So if someone says they got something “for a loonie,” they just mean it cost a buck. It might sound a little strange to Americans, but up here, the loonie is just a normal part of everyday spending.
“He’s Such a Hoser”
“Hoser” might sound like someone who hoses things down (makes sense, right?), but in Canada, it’s slang for someone acting foolish or clueless. The term took off in the ’80s thanks to the comedy duo Bob & Doug McKenzie. So if someone totally screws up, don’t be surprised if a Canadian laughs and says, “What a hoser!”
“It’s Cold—Better Put on Your Toque”
In Canada, a toque (pronounced “toohk”) is just a knit winter hat. So when the weather gets chilly, a Canadian will probably remind you to “put on your toque.” In the U.S., you might be used to calling it a beanie, so now you’ll know exactly what they’re talking about.
“They Live Out in the Boonies”
While Americans might use “boonies,” Canadians toss it around to describe really remote, rural areas. If someone’s heading out to the boonies, they’re probably deep in the woods or living on a farm miles from the nearest city.
“Let’s Go to the Beer Store”
In Ontario, “The Beer Store” is the go-to place for buying beer (aside from a few grocery stores). So if someone says, “Let’s go to the beer store,” they mean that specific chain. Unlike in the U.S., where you can pick up beer at almost any convenience or grocery store, in parts of Canada, it’s a little more specialized.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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