10 Canadian English Words Related to Food
—| B2-C1 (upper-intermediate to advanced) |—
Many people around the world, namely those who have never travelled to Canada before, might not know that the English spoken in the Great White North is different from its American and British counterparts. Canadian English is a dialect of the broader English language, and so with it comes much vocabulary, both informal and standard, that does not commonly appear, if at all, in the layman lexicon of the United States or the United Kingdom (among other Anglophone nations).
In this list, we will explore 10 words associated with food that are commonly used in the general (as there are many English variants in the country) Canadian English dialect.
LOONIE
NOUN: a Canadian one dollar coin (slang)
If you are going to be ordering yourself food at any fast-food restaurant, cafeteria, or cafe, then you are most likely going to need this word.
“Loonie” is the official slang term used across Anglophone Canada that refers to the one dollar coin. In conversation, a cashier at a Starbucks–or more appropriately a Tim Horton’s–might inform you that you are short in your change, meaning you still owe more money for your order when paying in cash. If it is one dollar that you are short, then it is likely that the cashier will say, “You’re a loonie short”, or “You’re missing a loonie”, or even “You need one more loonie.” Additionally, when shopping at a grocery store, loonies are used as collateral payment for carts in Canada, so if you don’t have one, you might have to go to customer service and ask them to break a bill into loonies for you.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.com.
TOONIE / TWONIE
NOUN: a Canadian two dollar coin (slang)
Much like the Canadian one dollar coin, there is a Canadian two dollar coin, which is called a “toonie.” This word can be spelled in two different ways (both are accepted): “toonie” (imitating the spelling of “loonie”) or “twonie” (imitating the spelling of the number “two,” which its monetary amount represents).
Toonies are often used at restaurants when paying in cash, too. They are often handled, in conjunction with loonies, when paying a server’s tip–a standard cultural practice across Canada.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.com.
TIMMY’S
NOUN:
Tim Horton’s (slang)
any product bought from Tim Horton’s (e.g. a coffee, a donut, a sandwich, etc.) (slang)
As you can see, “Timmy’s” is a slang term in Canada for two different–but very much related–things. If you are unaware as to what Tim Horton’s is, then these things might be lost on you. Let me explain.
Tim Horton’s is a Canadian cafe founded by former hockey player Tim Horton in 1964. Since its inception it has become a symbol of national pride, affecting even the language that Canadians speak. When two Canadian friends want to meet up at a Tim Horton’s to hang out, one might ask the other: “Wanna meet up at Timmy’s (definition 1)?” Equally, if a Canadian needs a quick pick-me-up before heading to work, they might grab some Timmy’s (definition 2).
Timmy’s is famous for its cheaply priced coffee and delicious donuts, so many Canadians love going there with friends and family, and coworkers and acquaintances for a casual catch-up or professional meeting.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.com.
REGULAR
NOUN: a coffee with one portion of cream and one portion of sugar (slang)
Yes, the word “regular” does exist in other dialects of English, but its nominal form likely does not. Generally speaking, as you very well might know, “regular” is an adjective that means “ordinary,” “usual,” or “normal.” This is also a definition of the word in Canada; however, in Canadian English specifically, there is a noun form of this word, which refers to coffee. More specifically, coffee from Tim Horton’s.
Now, Tim Horton’s does not list “regular” on its beverage menu. It lists simply, “coffee,” and its various additives (e.g. cream, milk, sugar, cinnamon, syrups, etc.). But as the decades have come and gone, “regular” has become synonymous with a Tim Horton’s coffee that has only one cream and one sugar in it. This is largely due in part to how popular this order has become among Canadians, making it the de facto beverage of choice by patrons of the establishment.
When looking into the word, it makes sense. Since “regular,” as an adjective, means “ordinary” (etc.), then it is logical that the ordinary coffee order in Canada be called “regular,” as well. Tim Horton’s coffee is the most common coffee among other cafes in Canada, so it is the “regular” form of coffee in the country.
Photo courtesy of Erik Mclean on Unsplash.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE
NOUN: a coffee with two portions of cream and two portions of sugar (slang)
Again, Timmy’s has power, and its power has shaped the Canadian English language.
“Double-Double,” like “regular,” does not appear on the Tim Horton’s menu; however, the combination of coffee with two creams and two sugars has become such a staple in ordering at the restaurant that Canadians have created a slang term for it. Due to this, you can say, “I’d like a double-double, please” at any Timmy’s and they will understand what you’re meaning.
TIMBITS
NOUN: donut holes (American English)
In the United States of America, timbits are called donut holes. You use the word “timbit” in America and you will most likely see a confused face in front of you. Likewise, you might find a disgruntled Canadian before you if you call them “donut holes” and you’re not American. This is largely due to the Canadian frustration of constantly being compared to our neighbours to the south (see 10 Things You Shouldn’t Do In Canada, coming soon).
If you are unfamiliar with what a timbit or donut hole is, think of how there is a hole in the middle of donut… Where does that hole come from? From removed dough, of course! And it is that removed dough that is sold in Tim Horton’s restaurants under the moniker “Timbits”–Timmy’s strikes again!
Due to the popularity of Tim Horton’s, Canadians call these small pieces of fried dough “timbits,” even when they are not talking about the miniscule donut from Timmy’s, itself. This is similar to how North Americans refer to facial tissues as Kleenex or bandages as BandAids (the company product has become so popular that it is the default word used to describe the item).
Photo courtesy of Conor Samuel on Unsplash.
LIQUOR BOARD
NOUN: a store that sells alcohol (standard)
Due to the different retail laws and regulations regarding alcohol in Canada, when compared to other Anglophone nations, “liquor board” is the common term used in the country to refer to a stand-alone store that sells the often sought-after inebriation in a cup–or bottle.
As years have gone by, many young Canadians have chosen to abbreviate this phrase to the simple LB: “Wanna go to the LB before we head ‘er to the party?”, “I gotta stop by the LB first”, “Is there an LB anywhere nearby?”
Though “liquor board” is the national standard in Canada, saying “liquor store” will not laugh you out of the group; the phrase is widely understood due to the influence of American media.
2-4
NOUN: a case of beer (slang)
Pronounced “two-four” (primary stress on “two,” secondary stress on “four”), this term refers to a case or flat of beer that, in Canada, is sold in packages of 24 cans or bottles. Why say twenty-four when you can simply say two-four?
Photo courtesy of Patrick Carr on Unsplash.
MICKEY
NOUN: a small bottle of alcohol (slang)
Sometimes bottles of alcohol are quite large, so many Canadians prefer to portion their liquor in smaller quantities like a mickey. Though “mickey” can be a rather subjective term, it is commonly understood in Canada as a 375mL bottle of liquor, a typical smaller portion of the juice sold in LBs across the country.
MOLSON MUSCLE
NOUN: a potbelly caused by drinking an excess amount of beer (slang)
As the fourth Canadian English term related to alcohol on this list, do you think Canadians enjoy getting their drink on?
Molson is a common brand of beer in Canada. As such, many Canadians like to indulge in its products, especially on one of those extremely hot Canadian summer days–no, this is not a joke (see Debunking 10 Canadian Stereotypes, coming soon). As with anything, there can be too much, even of a good thing. So, when overindulgence of Molson (or even any other brand of beer for that matter) occurs a bloated belly is often formed in what Canadians proudly and affectionately call “Molson muscle.”
Photo courtesy of Towfiqu Barbhuiya on Unsplash.
So, what have we learned here? Canadians are coffee-addicted alcoholics. I’m kidding. They’re Timmy’s-addicted alcoholics. No, I digress. What we have learned is that even when it comes to food, something routine that we all need for survival, Canada has a different set of vocabulary from its friends in the Anglosphere.
Canadian English is just as unique as any other form of English. Though it is not as widely discussed, it does not mean that this is not true.
If you are interested in diving further into this matter, stay tuned for another edition of Ten Canadian English Words.
Were you surprised by any of these words? Had you already heard of any of them? Which ones? Let me know in the comments below.
