30 Popular Canadian Slang
Words & Meanings

Canadian slang is as diverse and colorful as the country itself. Whether you're braving a winter whiteout, grabbing a double-double from Tim Hortons, or just out for a rip with friends, Canadians have a unique way of expressing themselves. From hockey-inspired phrases to weather-related sayings, here’s your guide to talking like a true Canuck.

Common Canadian Slang

Canada’s everyday slang is full of casual expressions that make conversations sound friendly and familiar. Whether it’s adding “eh” to the end of a sentence or calling a dollar coin a “loonie,” these phrases are part of everyday life from coast to coast.

1. Eh?

A classic Canadian expression used at the end of a sentence to ask for agreement or confirmation.
Example: "Nice weather today, eh?"

2. Loonie & Toonie

Nicknames for the Canadian one-dollar ($1) and two-dollar ($2) coins.
Example: "I need a loonie for the vending machine."

3. Give’r

To put in a lot of effort or go all out.
Example: "He’s really givin’ ’er on the ice today!"

4. Take Off, Eh?

A phrase popularized by the comedy duo Bob and Doug McKenzie, meaning “Get lost” or “No way!”
Example: "You think I’d eat that? Take off, eh?"

5. Beauty

Used to describe something really great or impressive.
Example: "That was a beauty of a goal!"

6. Out for a Rip

Going for a casual drive, adventure, or fun outing.
Example: "We’re just out for a rip, bud!"

7. Hoser

An old-school Canadian term for someone foolish or unsophisticated.
Example: "Quit being a hoser and help me out!"

8. Chirping

Good-natured teasing or trash talk, often in hockey.
Example: "Did you hear him chirping the goalie?"

Weather & Winter Slang

With long, snowy winters and unpredictable weather, it’s no surprise that Canadians have plenty of slang to describe the cold. Whether it’s a brutal “whiteout” or a sudden warm “Chinook,” knowing these terms will help you sound like a local, especially when you’re bundled up in a warm wool toque.

9. The Great White North

A nickname for Canada, referencing its cold and snowy winters.
Example: "Welcome to the Great White North, where winter lasts forever!"

10. Snowbirds

Canadians who migrate south for the winter, typically to Florida.
Example: "My grandparents are snowbirds—they spend every winter in Arizona."

11. Whiteout

A blizzard so intense that visibility is reduced to almost nothing.
Example: "Drive safe—the highway’s a total whiteout!"

12. Skookum Cold

Extremely cold weather, often used in Western Canada.
Example: "It’s skookum cold out there today—better bundle up!"

13. Freezing Rain

Rain that instantly turns to ice upon hitting a surface, making roads dangerously slippery.
Example: "Watch out for black ice after that freezing rain last night."

14. Chinook

A warm wind that quickly melts snow, common in Alberta.
Example: "It was -20°C yesterday, but thanks to the Chinook, it’s 10°C today!"

15. Toque (Tuke)

A knitted winter hat, essential for surviving Canadian winters.
Example: "Don’t forget your toque—it’s freezing outside!"

16. Bundled Up

Wearing multiple layers to stay warm.
Example: "You better get bundled up—it’s minus 30 with the wind chill."

17. Snow Squall

A sudden, intense burst of snow and wind, making driving dangerous.
Example: "We were driving fine, then bam—snow squall out of nowhere!"

18. Slush

Partially melted snow that turns into a wet, dirty mess on streets and sidewalks.
Example: "Ugh, I just stepped in ankle-deep slush!"

19. Thaw

A temporary warm-up that melts snow and ice.
Example: "Looks like we’re getting a January thaw—it’s above freezing today!"

Hockey-Inspired Slang

Hockey isn’t just a sport in Canada, it’s a way of life. From “chirping” on the ice to calling a chaotic situation a “gong show,” many Canadian expressions come straight from the rink. Even if you’re not a player, these sayings will help you fit right in.

20. He Shoots, He Scores!

Used beyond hockey to celebrate a successful outcome.
Example: "Finished my final exam—he shoots, he scores!"

21. Gong Show

A chaotic or ridiculous situation.
Example: "That game last night was a total gong show."

22. Just Wheelin’

Flirting or trying to impress someone.
Example: "Look at him, he’s just wheelin’ at the bar."

Food & Drink Slang

Canadians love their food, and they have the slang to prove it. Whether you’re ordering a “double-double” at Tim Hortons or grabbing a “two-four” of beer for the weekend, these terms will have you talking like a local in no time.

23. Double-Double

A Tim Hortons coffee with two creams and two sugars.
Example: "I’ll take a double-double, please!"

24. Timbits

Donut holes from Tim Hortons.
Example: "Grab a box of Timbits for the road!"

25. All-Dressed Chips

A popular Canadian snack flavor that combines multiple seasonings.
Example: "All-dressed chips are the best kind, hands down."

Polite Canadian Expressions

Canadians are known for being polite, and their slang reflects it. From saying “no worries” to offering a classic “sorry, not sorry,” these phrases capture the friendly nature of Canadian communication.

26. No Worries

A polite way to say “It’s all good” or “Don’t worry about it.”
Example: "Thanks for the help!" "No worries!"

27. Sorry, Not Sorry

A playful or sarcastic way of apologizing.
Example: "I took the last donut—sorry, not sorry!

28. Buddy & Pal

Friendly terms that can also be used sarcastically.
Example: "Listen here, buddy, that was my seat!"

29. Ope!

A small, polite exclamation used when accidentally bumping into someone or making a minor mistake.
Example: "Ope, sorry about that!"

30. Could Be Worse

A classic Canadian way of staying positive, even in tough situations.
Example: "It’s -30°C with a blizzard, but hey, could be worse!"