50 Canadian Slang Words & Unique Phrases to Know

Ever have a conversation in Canada where you understood every single word, but still felt completely lost? It’s a common feeling for newcomers, and it often comes down to the unique world of Canadian slang.

I’ll never forget the first time someone tried to pay me for an item and asked if I had change for a “loonie.” I was completely lost. It was only later that I found out they were talking about the one- and two-dollar coins—the loonie and the toonie. That was my first real introduction to the unique world of Canadian slang.

It can feel a little disorienting, but we’re here to help you navigate the sometimes quirky, always interesting world of Canadian English. Think of this not just as a list, but as your friendly guide to to the essential Canadian slangs and words you’ll hear in and around Canada. We want to help you feel confident in those small, everyday conversations.

In this post, you’ll learn the difference between true “slang” and a “Canadianism,” pick up key phrases you’ll hear in different provinces, and, of course, finally understand the golden rule of using “eh?”.

How We Built This Article
This isn’t just another list of slang. To create a truly practical resource for you, we analyzed some real-world discussions from Canadians across the country. We then cross-referenced these authentic terms with linguistic guides to ensure every definition is accurate. Our focus was on selecting words and phrases that are current, genuinely useful for newcomers, and reflect the regional diversity of Canadian English you’ll actually hear today.

First things first: What’s the difference between slang and a Canadianism?

Before we get into the list, we want to help you understand two key categories of words you’ll hear. Knowing the difference between casual and standard language is a simple trick that will make you sound much more like a local.

A “Canadianism” is a word or phrase that is the standard, correct term in Canadian English, but might be different from what’s used in other countries. For instance, using “washroom” for a public toilet isn’t slang; it’s just the normal, polite word for everyone to use. You’d use it in a business meeting just as you would with friends.

Slang, however, is much more informal and casual language. Words like “hoser” or “give’r” are true slang. You probably wouldn’t use them in a job interview, but you’ll definitely hear them at a hockey game or a backyard barbecue. This guide will show you how to use both.

The absolute essentials: Slang you’ll hear in your first week

These are the words you’re almost guaranteed to encounter within days of arriving. Getting comfortable with them is your first step to navigating daily life in Canada with ease.

At the Cafe

• Double-double: This is likely the first piece of Canadian slang you will hear. It means a coffee with two creams and two sugars. I have to admit, the first time I tasted a double-double, I loved it and have been a fan ever since. It’s most famously associated with Tim Hortons. For more tips, check out our guide on Tim Hortons Menu Favourites: What to Order.
  • Example: “Can I get a large double-double and a Boston cream donut, please?”
• Timmies: This is the affectionate nickname for the iconic Canadian coffee and donut chain, Tim Hortons.
  • Example: “I’m just running to Timmies to grab us some coffee.”
• Timbits: These are the small, bite-sized donut holes sold at Tim Hortons. For me, Timbits are a rich and flavour-filled snack—the taste blows me away every time. They come in a variety of flavours and are perfect for sharing with friends and coworkers.
  • Example: “Want me to pick up a 20-pack of Timbits for the office?”

Food & Drink

• Pop: In most of Canada, this is the standard word for a carbonated soft drink. If you ask for “soda,” people will know what you mean, but you’ll fit right in by asking for “pop.”
  • Example: “We need to buy some pop for the party this weekend.”

• Poutine: A famous Québécois dish that has become a symbol of Canadian cuisine. It’s made with french fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy. This term comes from Quebec, and its rise in popularity across the country is a great example of French-Canadian culture becoming a beloved part of the national identity. You can find out about more must-try dishes in our guide to 15 Uniquely Canadian Food Brands to Try.
  • Example: “After the movie, let’s go get some poutine from that food truck.”
• Caesar: Canada’s beloved national cocktail. It’s a savoury drink made with vodka, Clamato juice (a blend of tomato and clam broth), hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, often served with a celery salt rim. Invented in Calgary, Alberta, in 1969, the Caesar is a point of national pride, and its defining ingredient, Clamato juice, is what makes it a uniquely Canadian creation.
  • Example: “This restaurant is famous for its spicy Caesars.”
• KD (Kraft Dinner): An iconic Canadian comfort food, KD is the common name for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. It’s an affordable pantry staple in almost every Canadian household.
  • Example: “I’m too tired to cook a big meal tonight, let’s just make some KD for dinner.”
• Freezie: A beloved summer treat for kids and adults, a freezie is a plastic tube filled with flavoured sugar water, frozen solid – a perfect example of how much Canadians embrace the unique joys of every season.
  • Example: “It’s so hot today, let’s have some freezies from the freezer to cool down.”

Money

• Loonie: This is the nickname for the Canadian one-dollar coin. It gets its name from the picture of a common loon, a bird, on one side. The Royal Canadian Mint officially introduced it back in 1987.
  • Example: “Do you have a loonie for the parking meter?”

• Toonie: Following the Loonie, this is the nickname for the Canadian two-dollar coin. The name is a simple, friendly combination of “two” and “loonie.”
  • Example: “A cup of coffee costs a couple of toonies these days.”

• Buck: A common, informal term for a dollar. You’ll hear it used interchangeably with “dollar.” Knowing this is key to understanding the Cost of Living in Canada: A Complete Budget Breakdown.
  • Example: “It only cost me five bucks.”

Clothing & Weather

• Toque: Pronounced “took,” this is the essential Canadian winter hat. It’s a staple of winter wear, and you’ll want to have one ready for the cold. The importance of the toque is directly tied to the reality of long, cold Canadian winters; it’s a practical piece of survival gear that has become a defining symbol of Canadian coziness. Find more tips in our Newcomer’s Guide to Surviving Your First Canadian Winter.
  • Example: “Don’t forget your toque; it’s freezing outside!”
• Chinook: A weather term you’ll hear mainly in Alberta, a Chinook is a warm wind that can dramatically raise temperatures in mid-winter, which is just one of the surprising truths about winter in Canada.
  • Example: “I love it when a Chinook blows in and melts all the snow in January.”

General

• Washroom: The most common and polite term for a public toilet or restroom. While “bathroom” is also used, “washroom” is the standard you’ll see on signs in malls, restaurants, and offices.
  • Example: “Excuse me, where can I find the washroom?”
• Clicks: An informal, military-derived term for kilometres. It’s a quick, casual way to talk about distance.
  • Example: “The campsite is about 10 clicks down that road.”

Just Canadian English: Everyday words that might surprise you

This is where Canadianisms shine. These aren’t slang terms but are the standard words for everyday items that might have different names where you’re from. Using them will help you feel more connected to daily life here.

Around the House

• Hydro: A term used in several provinces (like Ontario, Quebec, and BC) to mean electricity or the electricity bill. It comes from the fact that much of Canada’s power is generated by hydroelectric dams.
  • Example: “Did you pay the hydro bill this month?”
• Serviette: The common Canadian word for a paper napkin. While “napkin” is perfectly understood, “serviette” is frequently used in both casual and formal settings.
  • Example: “Could you please pass me a serviette?”
• Eavestrough: The Canadian term for the gutters on a house that collect rainwater.
  • Example: “We need to clean the leaves out of the eavestrough this fall.”
• Garburator: The standard term in Canada for an in-sink garbage disposal unit.
  • Example: “Don’t put potato peels down the garburator; it’ll get clogged.”
• Chesterfield: An older, more traditional term for a sofa or couch. While “couch” is more common with younger generations, you’ll still hear “chesterfield” used.
  • Example: “Grandma has a lovely old chesterfield in her living room.”
• Housecoat: The common term for a bathrobe or dressing gown.
  • Example: “I love lounging around in my fuzzy housecoat on Sunday mornings.”
• Homo Milk: This is short for homogenized milk, which is whole milk (with 3.25% milk fat). Seeing “homo” on milk cartons often surprises newcomers, but it’s the standard term in Canadian grocery stores.
  • Example: “When you’re at the store, can you grab a two-litre carton of homo milk?”

School & Office

• Pencil crayons: The standard term for coloured pencils. If you ask for “coloured pencils,” everyone will know what you mean, but “pencil crayons” is what most Canadians grew up saying.
  • Example: “The teacher told the kids to bring a new set of pencil crayons to school.”

Getting Around

• Parkade: A common term, especially in Western Canada, for a multi-level indoor parking garage.
  • Example: “Let’s find a spot in the parkade since it’s supposed to rain.”
• Runners: A widely used term for athletic shoes, sneakers, or trainers.
  • Example: “I’m just going to put on my runners and go for a jog.”

From sea to sea: Slang that changes by province

Canada is a massive country, and just like its geography, its language has regional flavours. The slang you hear in Halifax might be different from what you’ll hear in Calgary. This is a key part of Canadian English, as noted by The Canadian Encyclopedia. Here are a few well-known regionalisms to listen for.

• Bunnyhug (Saskatchewan): This is the charming local term for a hooded sweatshirt. Its origin is debated, but its use is a point of pride in the province.
  • Example: “It’s getting a bit chilly; I’m going to grab my bunnyhug.”

• What’re you at? (Newfoundland & Labrador): A standard greeting here, it’s a friendly way of saying “How are you?” or “What are you up to?”
  • Example: “Hey Mark, what’re you at? Haven’t seen you in ages.”
• The 6ix (Ontario): A nickname for the city of Toronto, popularized by Toronto-born rapper Drake. It refers to the city’s two area codes, 416 and 647.
  • Example: “There’s always something going on in The 6ix during the summer.”
• Ginch/Gotch (The Prairies): A slang term for underwear, commonly heard in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
  • Example: “Don’t get your ginch in a knot!” (Meaning: Don’t get worked up).
• Give’r (Alberta): A very popular phrase that means to give it your all or to try your hardest. It has a blue-collar, enthusiastic spirit. This phrase embodies a certain hardworking Canadian spirit—it’s about tackling a task with full enthusiasm and no complaints, an attitude often associated with Prairie culture.
  • Example: “We’ve only got an hour to finish this project, so we’d better give’r.”
• Gong show (British Columbia): While used across Canada, this term for a situation that has become a total disaster is particularly popular in B.C.
  • Example: “With all the delays and lost luggage, our trip home was a complete gong show.”
• Dépanneur /”Dep” (Quebec): This is the standard French and English term for a convenience or corner store in Quebec. The nickname “dep” is very common.
  • Example: “I’ll just run to the dep to grab some pop and chips.”
• Skookum (British Columbia): A term from Chinook Jargon (an old trade language) used mainly in B.C. to mean strong, impressive, or excellent. You’ll also hear “Gong show” here, a term for a situation that has become a total disaster.
  • Example: “That’s a skookum-looking truck you’ve got there.”

Getting colloquial: Phrases for sounding like a local

Once you’ve got the basics down, you can start sprinkling in some of these more informal slang terms. These are the words and sayings that add true Canadian colour to a conversation.

Describing People

• Hoser: A classic Canadian slang term for an unsophisticated person, but it’s often used affectionately between friends. It’s famously associated with the stereotype of a beer-loving hockey fan. The origin of this term is believed to come from early hockey, before Zambonis, when the losing team had to hose down the ice after a game. It’s deeply rooted in Canadian hockey culture.
  • Example: “Stop being such a hoser and help me shovel the driveway.”
• Canuck: A nickname for a Canadian. It’s now embraced with pride by many Canadians. The Vancouver NHL team is even called the Canucks.
  • Example: “He’s a true Canuck; he apologizes even when you bump into him.”
• Keener: A slightly nerdy term for someone who is overly eager or enthusiastic, similar to a “try-hard.” It’s often used in a school or work context.
  • Example: “She finished the assignment a week early; she’s such a keener.”
• Beauty: A term of high praise for someone or something that is great or excellent. It can refer to a great person, a skilled hockey play, or a fantastic deal.
  • Example: “You fixed my car for free? You’re a beauty!”

Common Expressions

• Eh?: The most famous Canadianism of all. It’s a versatile word added to the end of a sentence to mean “don’t you agree?” or “right?”. A 2017 [CBC article](external link) celebrates it as a core part of our Canadian identity.
  • Example: “It’s a nice day out, eh?”
• For sure: A common way to say “yes, definitely” or “you’re welcome.” It’s an enthusiastic and friendly confirmation.
  • Example: “Want to go to the movies tonight?” “For sure!”
• True north: A patriotic phrase from the national anthem (“The true north strong and free”) used to refer to Canada itself.
  • Example: “Welcome to the true north! Hope you’re ready for the snow.”
• Kerfuffle: A fun-to-say word for a commotion, fuss, or minor disagreement.
  • Example: “There was a bit of a kerfuffle at the game when the referee made a bad call.”
• Out for a rip: A very Canadian way to say you’re going out for a drive, a snowmobile ride, or just a fun, casual trip.
  • Example: “The boys are just out for a rip on their dirt bikes.”
• Dart: A very common, informal slang term for a cigarette.
  • Example: “I’m just stepping outside for a quick dart, I’ll be right back.”

Giving Directions

• Hang a larry / Hang a roger: A quirky slang for “turn left” (larry) or “turn right” (roger). It’s less common, but a fun one to know.
  • Example: “Go down to the main street and then hang a larry at the lights.”

After hours: Canadian party and drink slang

Canadians have their own unique vocabulary for socializing. Here are a few terms you might hear on a night out or a long weekend.

• Two-four: A case of 24 beers. This is the standard unit for buying beer for a party or a cottage weekend.
  • Example: “I’ll pick up a two-four on my way to the lake.”
• Mickey: A 375 ml bottle of liquor (a pint), small enough to fit in a pocket.
  • Example: “He brought a mickey of rye to the party.”
• Stubby: A specific type of short, stout beer bottle that was the standard in Canada for decades. While no longer common, the term is a nostalgic piece of Canadian drinking culture.
  • Example: “My dad still talks about how great the old stubby bottles were.”
• Molson muscle: A humorous term for a beer belly, named after Molson, one of Canada’s oldest breweries.
  • Example: “He’s been developing a bit of a Molson muscle since he stopped playing hockey.”
• Puck bunny: A slang term for a person who is a devoted groupie of hockey players.
  • Example: “She’s always hanging around the arena after the game; she’s a total puck bunny.”
• Stag / Stagette: The Canadian terms for a bachelor party (stag) or a bachelorette party (stagette).
  • Example: “We’re heading to Montreal for my brother’s stag this weekend.”

Three Common Slang Mistakes to Avoid

Adopting local slang is a great way to connect, but it’s easy to feel a little self-conscious at first. To help you feel more confident, here are three common mistakes to avoid so you can use these new phrases naturally.

1. Overusing ‘Eh?’: The stereotype of Canadians ending every sentence with “eh?” is just that—a stereotype. In reality, it’s used much more subtly, usually to check if the listener agrees or understands. Think of it as a softer version of “right?”. A good rule of thumb is to listen to how locals use it for a week before trying it yourself.
2. Using Certain Words in the Wrong Context: Some slang is best understood but not used until you’re very comfortable with the culture. Terms like “hoser” or “puck bunny” are almost always used as jokes between friends or can be seen as judgmental. It’s best to avoid using them with strangers, in professional settings, or if you’re unsure of the context.
3. Trying to Use Too Much Slang at Once: It can be exciting to learn a bunch of new phrases, but one of the fastest ways to sound unnatural is to try using them all at the same time. Instead of trying to construct a sentence with “hoser,” “toque,” and “two-four,” just start small. Naturally using simple, everyday words like “pop,” “washroom,” or “loonie” will make you sound much more like a local.

Frequently Asked Questions

Putting It All Together: You’re Ready, Eh?

Learning these Canadian slang words and phrases is a fun and practical part of the settlement journey. The goal isn’t to change how you speak, but to give you the vocabulary to better understand the culture and connect with the people around you. You’ll find it’s just one part of What to Expect When You First Arrive in Canada.

Don’t be afraid to try some of them out! Canadians are generally friendly and will be happy to see you embracing the local culture. We hope this guide helps you feel a little more prepared. You’ve got this!

What’s the most surprising Canadian word you’ve learned? Share it in the comments below!