10 Ways To Talk Like A True Canadian

1. Conclude most (if not all) of your sentences with a quick and non-aggressively interrogative "eh".

This is perhaps the most important rule of Canadian speech.

2. When describing a location, it is common to omit the word "the" before it.

I'm not sure why, but some of us Canadians actually do this. For example: "She was sent to hospital due to twerking-related injuries."

3. On the subject of educational institutions - College is not used interchangeably with University as it typically is in America.

You either go to a college or a university.

4. For the truly committed: shift your vowels ("Canadian raising")  and emphasize on unlikely syllables.

In terms of emphasizing on unlikely syllables, one example could be how Americans pronounce the word "process" as präˌses (or "prah-CESS"), with emphasis on the latter syllable, while Canadians pronounce it asˈprōˌses (or "PRO-cess"), with emphasis on the first syllable. In terms of "Canadian raising", one example could be how the word "about" is often pronounced as "aboot".

5. Spontaneously let out a "sorry" every few minutes.

Even though you're not guilty of anything and nobody's around.

6. Ultra polite speech is the Canadian way.

For example, you can remind Americans that the word "American" isn't a fitting descriptor for people who live in the United States because the Americas is a conglomerate of multiple North, Central and South American countries, including Canada. Politely, though.

7. Refer to yourself as a "Canuck" because that might actually be the most Canadian thing ever.

And never call Timmies by it's full name.

8. Never use curse words at someone who cuts you off in traffic.

Because even though it wasn't your fault you'll probably still want to say sorry. Resort to a "gosh darn it" or just hold your tongue.

9. Make "Ya bud" your go-to confirmatory statement.

And "Beauty" as your go-to pleased statement, and "Jesus Murphy" your go-to surprised statement.

10. Add these very Canadian words and phrases to your daily vocabulary:

Biffy - a toilet

Giv'n'r - to do something well or with enthusiasm

Chesterfield - a sofa

Stagette - a bachelorette party

Hooped - refers to something as useless due to being broken

For sure - definitely

Had the biscuit - broken or dead

2-4 - a case of 24 beers

Molson muscle - a beer belly

Hoser - a descriptor for an unpleasant person

Klick - a kilometer

Mickey - a 375-mL bottle of liquor

Spinny - short for "spinster"

Pencil crayon - a coloured pencil

Give'r - to exert maximum effort

Garburator - an electric device in kitchen sinks to break up food

Forteleven - a measurement for a random amount of miles

Constab - police

Geezly - a synonym for "very"

Out for a rip - to go on a snowmobile ride

Toque - the Canadian word for "beanie"

Parkade - a parking garage

Pull/boot - an older person who buys alcohol for the underaged

Hang a larry - make a left

Dep - department store

Runners - running shoes

Hang a roger - make a right

Gotch/gitch/gonch - tight men's underwear briefs

Dart - a descriptor for an idiot

How's she bootin'er? - another way to say "How's it going?"

Gorby - tourist

Diphthongs - combining two vowels into one (or ask the linguistics major in the comments section)

Bunnyhug - a hoodie

Double-double - a coffee order with two creams and two sugars

Takitish - to "take it easy"

Hi-yu - a large gathering

From away - refers to migrants

Newfie - someone from Newfoundland

Islander - someone from Vancouver Island or the Maritimes

Haligonian - someone from Halifax

Now use them all in a sentence!

Follow us on Snapchat: narcitytoronto