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I have been very blessed to have dual citizenship and spend my life in both Canada and Australia. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth which means that they both have enough in common that they don't feel totally foreign to each other, and enough differences to know that you are in a different country. Each country has a rich and similar history that has evolved over similar timelines, with the people sharing a sense of adventure, humour and attitudes. With English as the native language (French as well in Canada, n'est-ce pas?), metric measurements (although the Canadians like to call kilometres 'klicks' - as in it's 6 klicks down the road, turn right at MickeyD's....) and Prime Ministers in charge, Canadians and Australians probably have more in common with each other than any other country. We could arguably add New Zealand into the mix, bro, but they wear jandals and put their beers in a chilly bin, so we'll exclude them for now.
Having lived most of my life in Canada, moving back to Australia involved the challenge of navigating the slang. At least Canucks and Aussies know to spell neighbourhood and humour, not like the Yanks who are lazy spellers and leave out vowels. Even though I have now lived here for 16 years, Canada is part of me, and sometimes the odd Canadian phrase will escape my lips, and it's blank stares all around. Cultural education should go both ways.
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| Toque |
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| Mukluks |
In Canada, that thing that goes on your head to keep it warm is called a toque, not a beanie. And to be honest, I see a lot of beanie wearing here where the temperature is still above 0C. I don't think they have ever experienced being truly, truly cold. They have never known the particular pain of having your ears unfreeze after you forgot to wear your toque. On the opposite end of your body, Canadians wear mukluks and the Aussies wear Ugg boots. Personally, well decorated mukluks win in my book any day, but you can't beat the comfort of an Uggy.
Which brings me to my next point. Why do Australians feel the need to shorten EVERYTHING? I have listed a few examples below.
Uggies - As mentioned above, Ugg boots
Mozzies - Mosquitos
Cozzies / Togs - Swimming costumes / bathers / swimsuits. For tight fitting male swimsuits - the descriptive yet slightly disgusting Dicktogs, such as those favoured by a previous Prime Minister.
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| Something you don't see every day - a PM in dicktogs |
Cuppa - Cup of tea or coffee
Maccas - MacDonalds, the place where you get a hamburger made with mince, not a hamburger made with hamburger and enjoy your soft drink, not pop.
Arvo - Afternoon, as in 'do you want to have a cuppa this arvo?'. Not to be confused with 'avo', which is short for avocado.
Footy - Football - which is even more confusing because that can mean soccer, rugby league, rugby union or Aussie Rules Football. In Canada it means gridiron football.
Biccy - Biscuit (Aussie) / cookie (Canuck)
Choccy - Chocolate - delicious in any country,
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Accadacca - AC/DC, need I say more? Pretty much the backdrop music for growing up in Australia or Canada in the 80's and 90's.
Servo - Service station (Aussie) / gas station (Canuck). Which brings me to putting gas in the car. You don't do this in Australia - it's petrol. Gas is used for natural gas, but petrol is what goes in most cars, unless it's diesel, then it's diesel!
Tinny - Tin, or can, of beer
Careers - you have Cabbie, Tradie (tradesman), Postie (postman), Ambo (ambularnce attendant), Firie (fireman), Brickie (bricklayer), Chippie (carpenter), Muso (musician), Garbo (garbageman)...the list goes on and on.
And don't forget that Santa gives you a pressie (present) at Chrissie (Christmas).
I still have the constant battle of to-MAY-to versus to-MAH-to. I believe that I am correct with my Canadian pronunciation. Who says po-TAH-to? It's po-TAY-to in any country.
No matter what language or slang is used, both countries are great and blessed countries.
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| Loonie and Toonie |
At the end of the day, no matter where you live, you've just gotta give'r, eh? We are all trying to deke out life, enjoy a mickey or two-four that we bought with loonies and toonies while being a keener at work to avoid going on the pogie.
Figure that one out, Aussies!
PS - I have heard just as many Aussies, particularly Queenslanders, say 'eh' as Canadians. So take off, you hoser.
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| Bob & Doug McKenzie - true Canadian Hoser |
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