Canadian English Trivia Quiz

Answer: cheque

I believe "cheque" is the British spelling of the word. British spellings of words are generally favoured in Canada over American spellings, perhaps owing to the fact that we are still politically associated with England. For example, most Canadians spell words such as "honour" and "neighbour" the British way, with the "u." American spellings of such words have dropped the "u." American spellings of such words are creeping into common use in Canada, especially in the Prairie provinces.

Answer: gitch

The origin of this word is unknown, although it is thought that it might be an alteration of the word "gotch." "Gotch" is another Canadian slang word for "underwear," and is probably derived from Eastern European languages. As the Hungarian word for underwear is "gatya," while the Serbo-Croat word is "gace," this seems to be a likely explanation.

This also fits with the fact that "gitch" and "gotch" are most commonly used in the Canadian west, which was, in large part, settled by Eastern Europeans.

Answer: toque

Toque is derived from the French "tuque", which is related to the Italian "tocca" and Spanish "toca", all of which mean hat. The word is pronounced "tuke", although the spelling confuses many non-Canadians who pronounce it "toke". Canadians need their own short word for "knitted woolen cap," because it's so cold here in winter we'd freeze before we got more than one syllable out of our mouths.

Answer: keener

I was amazed to discover that this is a Canadianism, but that's what the dictionary tells me. Let me know if you use it in your part of the world. Obviously, it is derived from the word "keen."

Answer: poutine

Several Quebecois diners claim to have invented this treat, and it has gained popularity in English Canada over the last twenty years. It's a pretty heavy snack if you ask me.

Answer: a road plowed over a body of water in the winter, when the ice is thick enough to support motor vehicles

Ice roads are exactly what they sound like - roads made of ice. They are used mainly in the far North, where the ice is thick enough to drive on and roads are few in number, making ice roads a very convenient means of making road trips shorter.

Answer: reserves

"Reservation" is used in the US, and in Australia. I'm not exactly certain how Canada came to call them "reserves," but the dictionary suggests it might (offensively enough) be related to terms such as "wildlife reserve," and "game reserve."

Answer: bunny hug

I've never heard this used in my life, but I've also never lived in Saskatchewan. A hooded sweatshirt can also be called a hoodie.

Answer: Yes

The screeching in ceremony, which I believe to be the creation of tourist companies and bars, is an initiation rite welcoming newcomers and visitors to Newfoundland. It involves drinking lots of screech, a potent dark Newfoundland rum, and kissing a codfish, popularly known as "kissing the cod." It can also involve other activities such as putting a foot in the Atlantic Ocean.

Answer: the Canada-US border, especially west of Ontario

In 1818 much of the Canadian West was in control, at least effectively, by native peoples. The 49th parallel was nicknamed by the tribes as the Medicine Line, referring to its "seemingly magical ability to prevent US soldiers from crossing it" (Wikipedia).

Answer: a homebrew

The term homebrew can also refer to an alcoholic beverage brewed at home, although you can often hear sportscasters refer to an athlete as "homebrewed."

Answer: back bacon

"Back bacon" is also used in the UK to denote round, lean bacon cut from the eye of a pork loin. As far as I know, only the Americans refer to it as "Canadian bacon".

Answer: a hockey arena

Yes, we Canadians love our hockey so much we call the arena a palace.

Answer: acclamation

This use of the word "acclamation" originated in England. However, it is no longer carries this meaning there and as such has become a Canadianism. Another word commonly used in Canadian politics which has become obsolete in England is "riding," meaning an electoral district.

Answer: eh

Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis, along with their alter-egos Bob and Doug MacKenzie made this word the hallmark of the Canadian stereotype. From my own experience, it's used mostly in central Canada, especially in Southern Ontario. British Columbians tend to use "hey," in the same manner, although they do sometimes say "eh." Because of the upward inflection used when saying "eh," foreigners often get confused when hearing it, thinking they are being asked a question.

Although it is usually used at the end of a sentence, as in, "I got the coffee at Tim Hortons, eh," it can also appear in the middle of a sentence, as in "I went to the ice palace, eh, but I forgot my skates." And yes, "eh" appears in the Canadian Oxford Dictionary.