UME TIMES - Funky Facts about Canucks!

If you happen to visit Canada for travel, study or business, please take a moment to learn these local expressions.

"Canuck"

A nickname for "Canadian person". Canadians are often called Canucks by Americans as a joke, but we also use it among ourselves with pride!

"I know, eh?"

Actually, this expression is not used that much, but it is a well-known stereotype about Canadian English, so we often use it as a joke when speaking to Americans. Using “eh?” at the end of a sentence is similar to the Kansai dialect of Japanese, when speakers say やな！to express a question or seek agreement.

"It's really cold eh? I had to wear my toque* this morning!"
"I know eh? It’s so cold, my car wouldn’t start."
(*toque = a knitted winter hat or beanie. It is pronounced "took")

"Double-double"

Canadians love to drink cheap coffee during all seasons, and a hot double-double is by far the most popular choice. It means a coffee with two creams and two sugars, hence "double". You can also try a "triple-triple", which means three creams and sugars. This word has been made popular by our famous Canadian donut shop, Tim Hortons (nicknamed Timmies or Tim's).

"Hey, let’s do a Timmies run*, I could really use another double-double."
(*A "coffee run" means going out to get coffee. This responsibility is usually placed upon a lower member of the company who is sent out to get drinks for his/her coworkers.)

"Pop"

Canadians love sugary soft drinks just as much as Americans. But if you're craving a Coke or Pepsi, don't say "soda" or you'll find yourself with a glass of carbonated water. "Pop" is the casual way to say soft drink in Canada.

"Loonies & Toonies"

The Canadian dollar coin features a loon (wild bird similar to a goose or duck), so it has been nicknamed the "loonie." Likewise, the toonie or twoonie is the tongue-in-cheek nickname for the two dollar coin.

"Do you happen to have a toonie on you? I forgot my wallet and I want to buy a postcard."

WORDS

• crave：～をとても欲しがる、～を頼む
• tongue-in-cheek：ふざけた、冗談の

WRITER

Andrew先生
真面目で優しいAndrew先生は、敬語も上手く使いこなせるくらい日本語もとても上手です。ネイティブの先生のレッスンが受けたいけど、ちょっと不安・・・という英会話初心者の方にもお勧めです。