How Many Canadian Slang Words Do You Know?

By: Heather Cahill
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
How Many Canadian Slang Words Do You Know?
Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

Are you ready to prove that you're a true Canuck? Every country (and every region of every country, for that matter) has its own local slang. Canada is no different!

While most Americans are familiar with the occasional "eh" at the end of a sentence, there's so much more color to the Canadian vernacular! 

Have you found yourself on the wrong side of a heated "kerfuffle?" Do you know what stands-in for the term, "bodega?" Do you know what word a Canadian might use for "robe?" We bet you don't know the linguistic history of the word "boonies," but if you do, you're definitely not a "hoser!" If someone says they're going to "head'er," do you know what they're doing? And if you're in Saskatchewan, and your friend is about to "head'er," and it's cold outside, you should make sure they have their "bunny hug" and "toque!"

Whether you've lived in Canada for all your life, have merely visited, or are somewhere in between, this quiz will tell you how much Canadian slang you know. So sit back, grab a "pop," and find out!

Mounties
Pixabay by KeithJJ
What is the slang word that refers to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police?
Pollys
Canucks
Royals
Mounties
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The slang for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is "mounties." "Mountie" is also used when referring to just one member of the that specific police force.

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Woman Lake
Pixabay by Olichel
What is a "Canuck?"
A type of food
A type of animal
A term for a Canadian
Another word for beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "Canuck" is another word to refer to a Canadian. Did you know that one of Canada's NHL teams is called the Vancouver Canucks? Their mascot is Fin the Whale.

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Arm Wrestle
Pixabay by RyanMcGuire
What is a "kerfuffle?"
A messy situation
A car
A food
A type of alcoholic mixed drink
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A kerfuffle is used to describe a messy situation. When used in a sentence, you can say: "Keep yourself out of any kerfuffles!" In the United States, where the word is also used, it means a commotion caused by conflicting views.

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Business Meeting
Pixabay by Free-Photos
This word is typically used at the end of a sentence in Canada. What is it?
Chinook
Toque
Eh
Canuck
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The term "eh" is commonly used at the end of sentences by Canadians. It can mean a few different things, including "right?" or "what?"

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Toque
Pixabay by Free-Photos
Where would you wear a toque?
On your hands
On your torso
On your legs
On your head
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A toque is a warm knit winter hat that is worn on your head that fits snugly. In America, these are typically referred to as beanies. In Canada, they're named after a type of European hat (mostly worn in France) that was popular from the 13th through 16th century.

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Child Sled
Pixabay by JillWellington
Which word is used for sled in Canada?
Toboggan
Chirp
Loonie
Bunny hug
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Canada, the word toboggan is used when talking about a sled. It can be also used as a verb, for example: "Jane and I are going tobogganing." Toboggans were actually traditionally used by indigenous groups in northern Canada as a form of transportation.

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Champagne
Pixabay by JillWellington
What word is used to refer to a large bottle of alcohol?
Mickey
Toboggan
Keener
Eau
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The word "mickey" is used to refer to a 375 ml bottle of alcohol, mostly spirits like vodka. The word can also be used in the phrase "Texas mickey" which refers to a liter (1000 ml) of alcohol.

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Coloring
Pixabay by rawpixel
What are pencil crayons?
Charcoal pencils
Mechanical pencils
Markers
Colored pencils
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Canada, colored pencils are called pencil crayons. Don't forget that in Canada, colored is actually spelled "coloured" with the letter "u." It's the British spelling rather than the American spelling.

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Working on Laptop
Pixabay by StartupStockPhotos
What is a "Chesterfield?"
A type of shoe
A restaurant
A couch
A pastry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Chesterfield is the word used for a couch in Canada. The word refers to anything that is larger than a loveseat. A Chesterfield actually refers to a specific type of sofa design from England, but, like Kleenex essentially means "tissue" in the United States, it has come to represent couches in general.

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Faucet
Pixabay by kaboompics
What is a tap?
A car
An angry person
An animal
Faucet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A tap is the word that Canadians use to refer to the faucet. When used in a sentence you can say: "Make sure the tap is turned off!"

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Drive Mercedes
Pixabay by Free-Photos
What phrase is used to say that you're going for a drive?
Getting a double-double
You're traveling
Out for a rip
Crack it out
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're out for a rip, then you're out for a drive. When you're out for a rip, your friends usually tag along for the ride. It's similar to the American idea of taking a joyride.

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Surprised
Pixabay by RobinHiggins
Which of the following is a synonym for "hoser?"
Happy
Independent
Loser
Upset
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The word "hoser" is typically used to refer to someone as a loser in Canada. When used in a sentence, you could say: "Bill is such a hoser."

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Couple Bathrobe
Pixabay by Icons8_team
Which of the following is a term used for "bathrobe" in Canada?
Blanket
Serviette
Housecoat
Pop
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The term for "bathrobe" in Canada is "housecoat." Although Canadians use a different name, there are no physical differences between the items.

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Speed Sensor
Pixabay by manfredrichter
Which of the following is a term for measurement?
Stick
Tap
Runners
Klick
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Klick" is a term of measurement used in Canada to refer to a kilometer. When used in a sentence, you could say: "We're going about 30 klicks." It's also used by the United States military when communicating with other countries about distance, as the United States isn't on the metric system.

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Road to Nowhere
Pixabay by TheDigitalArtist
What does it mean to be out in the boonies?
In a tough situation
Feeling the pressure
In the middle of nowhere
Not doing what you should be
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To be out in the boonies means that you're in the middle of nowhere. It is a slang word for "boondocks," which means the same thing. It actually is a based on a Tagalog word for mountain, "bundok."

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Parking Garage
Pixabay by Free-Photos
What is the parkade?
A place where children play
A resort
A parking garage
A vacation
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Canada, the parkade is where you would park your car, specifically a parking garage. Typically, these garages have multiple stories that provide more room for parking.

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Cigarette
Pixabay by klimkin
If someone asked you for a "dart," what should you give them?
A piece of gum
A hug
Money
A cigarette
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "dart" is Canadian slang for a cigarette. When used in a sentence, you could say: "Hey Lisa, can you pass me a dart?" It's also one of the slang terms for a cigarette in Australia.

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Coca Cola Beach
Pixabay by fancycrave1
If a Canadian asks you for a pop, what do they want?
A fight
A lollipop
A soft drink
Help
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Canada, soft drinks (or soda) are called "pop" instead. Don't forget to crack out the pop at your next party or gathering!

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Dating
Pixabay by StockSnap
Which word can be used for someone who tries hard?
Keener
Hoser
Bud
Canuck
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Keener" is the word used for this type of person in Canada. It is synonymous with the American term "brown-noser" or even just "try-hard." It's not a flattering term.

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Driving
Pixabay by Free-Photos
If you're told to "give'er," what should you do?
Give away your things
Pay your bill
Call someone
Get going
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If someone tells you to "give'er" in Canada, it means to get going. The word is commonly used when referring to driving, but also is used when referring to things like partying and extreme sports.

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City Backpack
Pixabay by Free-Photos
Which of the following might you take to school in Canada?
A knapsack
A chesterfield
A toboggan
A double-double
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A knapsack is a word used for a backpack in Canada. Growing up in Canada, it's likely that your parents may tell you to pack you knapsack! Oddly enough, the "knapsack problem" is a famous computational math problem.

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Girlfriends Sunset
Pixabay by BhaktiCreative
If someone tells you they're going to "head'er," what does that mean?
They're getting in a fight.
They're giving it their all.
They're leaving.
They're enjoying themselves.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To "head'er" means that you're going to leave or head out. When used in a sentence, you can say: "It's been fun, but I think it's time for me to head'er."

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Canadian Currency
Pixabay by ptra
What is the value of a loonie?
One dollar
Five hundred dollars
Ten dollars
It has no value.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The value of a loonie is one dollar. It gets it's name from the bird depicted on it, the loon. The two-dollar coin is called a toonie, a portmanteau of "loonie" and "two."

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Woman Coat
Pixabay by StockSnap
What is a bunny hug?
A type of rabbit
A term of endearment
A type of sauce
A hoodie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A bunny hug is a term that is mostly used in Saskatchewan (a Canadian province) for a hoodie. The word is more often used for sweaters that do not have a zipper on them. It's not clear why sweaters earned this nickname in Saskatchewan.

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Airplane
Pixabay by MichaelGaida
What is a "snowbird" in Canada?
A type of animal
A plane
A song
Someone who vacations in the winter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A snowbird is a term used by Canadians to refer to someone who vacations away from home in the winter, usually traveling somewhere with a warm climate. It allows them to escape the cold winters in the north.

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Bathroom
Pixabay by jeanvdmeulen
If a Canadian needed to relieve themselves, what might they ask for?
The washroom
The kitchen
The upper room
The relief room
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadians refer to the bathroom or restroom as the washroom. Although there are different words for it, Canadians will still understand the other terms.

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Fresh Milk
Pixabay by Couleur
Which of the following is a slang term for a certain type of dairy product in Canada?
Old yogurt
Boring butter
Icy cream
Homo milk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Homo milk is a short form of homogenized milk, which is used in Canada. The difference is that homogenized milk does not have cream on top, while non-homogenized milk does.

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Letter Cube
Pixabay by blickpixel
Which of the following words is used for a letter?
Eh
Red
Dep
Zed
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The word "zed" is the word used for the letter "Z" in Canada. In America, it's more likely that you'll hear the common "zee" pronunciation.

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Wind Hair
Pixabay by Free-Photos
What is a "Chinook?"
A person
A type of tree
A city
A wind
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "Chinook" is a wind-based weather system that often blows through the Rocky Mountain area of North America. The temperature of the winds is usually warm. For those of you in Southern California, they feel similar to the Santa Ana winds.

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Coffee and Toast
Pixabay by congerdesign
If you ask for a "double-double," what will you receive?
A pizza
A hat
A coffee
Two slices of toast
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Asking for a "double-double" in Canada will get you a coffee. The term is used at the coffee shop chain, Tim Hortons, to order a coffee with double cream and double sugar.

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Convenience Store
Pixabay by StockSnap
What does the word "dep" refer to?
Deprived
Dépanneur
Deprecated
Departure
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The word "dep" is most commonly used in Quebec as a slang word for "dépanneur." This word is used to refer to convenience stores and corner stores. It's like "bodega" in New York.

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Napkin
Pixabay by Couleur
What word is used for napkin?
Wipe
Paper
Cloth
Serviette
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A napkin in Canada is called a "serviette." A serviette is typically made of cloth, but it can be made from paper, as well. Interestingly, in the UK, the term "napkin" is seen as upper class vernacular while "serviette" is seen as common vernacular. This is because in the UK, napkin refers to the cloth version, and serviette refers to the paper version.

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Sneakers
Pixabay by Free-Photos
What would you put on if you were going outside in Canada?
Housecoat
Hoser
Loonie
Runners
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Runners is another term for sneakers/tennis shoes that is used in Canada. You might also hear the word running shoe for the same thing if you're in Canada.

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Cheers Beer
Pixabay by Free-Photos
What word is used to refer to alcohol?
Klick
Parkade
Two-four
Knapsack
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A two-four is a term that refers to alcohol, specifically the amount of beer in a pack. Two-fours typically contain 24 bottles (a case.) It's not an entirely different concept than saying you're going to pick up a forty in the United States.

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Couple Laugh
Pixabay by Pexels
What does it mean to "chirp" someone?
Call them
Hit them
Make fun of them
Pick them up
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To "chirp" someone is to make fun of them in Canada. Using this term in a sentence, you could say: "Bob chirped Ethan today." You can also use the word "beaking" in Canada to much the same effect.

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