What’s Your Canadian Slang IQ?

By: Ashley Linkletter
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
What’s Your Canadian Slang IQ?
Image: FatCamera/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

You might know that Canadians love to get their coffee at Tim Hortons, but could a non-citizen string together an order for a coffee with two creams and two sugars like a natural? What about adding on a frozen cappuccino or two? Either way, when you're visiting a coffee shop you'll definitely be in need of a toque (even if the weather's balmy — let's say around the time of the May two-four long weekend.) If this sounds made up, just wait until you're looking for where you parked your car (hint: it's not in the garage!) You'll run into mysterious things like metros, chesterfields, KD, stag and does, runners and Garburators in this quiz. Canadian hockey slang is also an integral part of the vernacular on the ice and in daily conversation, just ask The Great One what he thinks (and maybe ask him about his toboggan while you're at it.) 

So c'mon eh, don't be a hoser! Put on your very best Canadian tuxedo, lace up those hockey skates and place all your loonies and toonies as bets: Let's figure out if you could pass as a real Canadian next time you find yourself north of the border. 

1 - vocational school
FatCamera/E+/Getty Images
What is a vocational school called in Canada?
Employment-based school
High school
University
College
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Canada, vocational schools are referred to as colleges. Unlike American colleges, Canadian colleges are career-oriented. Universities tend to be more focused on academic programs, although the two types of learning can overlap (nursing programs, for example.)

Advertisement

2 - Pop
fotostorm/E+/Getty Images
When ordering a non-alcoholic carbonated beverage at a restaurant, you'd ask for what?
Coke
Pop
Sparkling juice
Soda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While the word for pop can vary from region to region, Canadians generally refer to their carbonated beverages as pop rather than soda. Why pop? Supposedly it's because of the effervescent popping sound the carbonated bubbles make as they break the surface.

Advertisement

3 - subway
NicolasMcComber/E+/Getty Images
In Quebec, the subway is referred to as what?
Metro
Streetcar
Express train
Tunnel train
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Quebec (as well as Ontario, to a lesser degree) the subway is referred to as the metro. As in, "Let's take the metro to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, have a look around and then go get some poutine for dinner!"

Advertisement

4 - The States
kuriputosu/E+/Getty Images
You're planning a road trip south of the border to see some friends. Where are you going?
America
Down south
The States
The United States of America
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Just like the United States and Mexico, Canada is part of North America. Depending on where you are in Canada, you might hear the term "the U.S." being used but "the States" is the most ubiquitous term for the geographical area that lies beneath the 45th parallel.

Advertisement

5 - Queen Victoria's birthday
ferrantraite/E+/Getty Images
Which slang word has to do with Queen Victoria's birthday?
Queen's hat
Two-four
Royal ride
Loyal Labatt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The May two-four weekend is in reference to May 24th, Queen Victoria's birthday. In Canada, this is a federal holiday (although it doesn't always fall on the 24th) and it means Canadians get the Monday off for a three-day weekend.

Advertisement

6 - Runners
lovro77/E+/Getty Images
You'll need a new pair of these to run the half-marathon. What are you looking for?
Athletic shoes
Runners
Sneakies
Exercise slippers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You're looking for runners, the Canadian slang shorthand for running shoes. Runners can include actual running shoes, sneakers and tennis shoes. Basically, any lace-up athletic or athleisure shoes with laces (or possibly Velcro) fall under the category of runners.

Advertisement

7 - colourful pencils
Aslan Alphan/E+/Getty Images
What do Canadians call colourful pencils used for art projects?
Skinny crayons
Craft pencils
Fun sticks
Pencil crayons
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pencil crayons (or coloured pencils as they're called in The States) are the official term for this commonly used art supply in Canada. Although some packaging may refer to pencil crayons as coloured pencils, Canadians prefer the former term when identifying or discussing them.

Advertisement

8 - mac and cheese
stephanie phillips/E+/Getty Images
You're sent to the store for a box of mac and cheese. What are you looking for?
Orange Macaroni and Cheese
KD
Kraft Special Pasta
Stovetop Surprise Noodles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

KD, short for Kraft Dinner, is what Canadians call the famous boxed bright orange macaroni and cheese. The nickname is so prevalent it's been incorporated into Kraft's Canadian advertising campaign ("Gotta be KD.")

Advertisement

9 - Freezies
SolStock/E+/Getty Images
These frozen products are notorious for being impossible to open and for cutting the corners of your mouth. Despite these hazards, Canadians still love to eat what kind of treat during the summertime?
Pop-pops
Iced lollies
Freezies
Frozen fruities
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada loves their freezies! In fact, Kisko Freezies (the Canadian-owned company responsible for freezies as they are known and loved today) celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2017 and in honour of their Jamaican heritage, built a school in Kingston, Jamaica to give back to the community.

Advertisement

10 - sofa
Lori Andrews/Moment/Getty Images
In the spirit of politeness, Canadians would never put their feet up on which other word for a sofa?
Chesterfield
Couch
Big ottoman
Coffee lounger
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A chesterfield, also known as a sofa or couch in other English-speaking countries, gets its name from the British Earl of Chesterfield, who lived during the 1600s. In England, the word chesterfield typically describes an upholstered sofa with buttons. In Canada, chesterfield is a catch-all term for any type of couch.

Advertisement

11 - Soccer baseball
kirin_photo/E+/Getty Images
Otherwise known as kickball, Canadians like to refer to the game as?
Wiffle ball kick game
Footballer baseball
Soccer baseball
Easy baseball
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Keeping the name as literal as possible, Canadian gym teachers and students alike always have a blast when a game of soccer baseball is being played. The rules are similar to baseball except for one major difference, a soccer ball is used in place of a softball or baseball.

Advertisement

12 - Homo milk
Imgorthand/E+/Getty Images
This type of full-fat milk is regularly sold in groceries stores across Canada. What is it called?
Half and half
No skim
Fatty milk
Homo milk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Homo milk, or homogenized milk, refers to milk that has a butterfat content of 3.25 percent. The homogenization process is used to make fat molecules even smaller to prevent them from separating and rising to the top of the milk as cream.

Advertisement

13 - Housecoat
LWA/Dann Tardif/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Winter or spring, Canadians love wrapping themselves up in what type of cozy indoor coat?
Dressing coat
Housecoat
Inside coat
Snuggly coat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A housecoat is indispensable any time of the year, but is extra-appreciated during the cold winter months. Made from terrycloth, cotton, velour (or any soft fabric) a housecoat is perfect for lounging around on lazy days spent indoors.

Advertisement

14 - Garburator
Bill Oxford/E+/Getty Images
This handy kitchen sink appliance liquifies garbage. What is it called in most provinces?
Garburator
Garbage masher
Trash Smasher
Garbage Destroyer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadians refer to their garbage disposal units as Garburators, a misspelled version of the now defunct Garberator brand. Garburators have been banned in several cities across the country and as a result, American brands have never had a motive for opening their product up to a Canadian audience.

Advertisement

15 - Cottage
powerofforever/E+/Getty Images
No summer is complete without a trip to which kind of small vacation home?
Log cabin
Cottage
Yurt
Mini-house
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Whether you're in the Muskoka district, lounging on a dock beside one of the region's 1,600 lakes, or relaxing on a sandy beach by Lake Huron there's nothing better than spending a weekend at the cottage.

Advertisement

16 - Serviette
Blanchi Costela/Moment Open/Getty Images
What is the Canadian word for a paper napkin?
Serviette
Doily
Paper cloth
Dinner scarf
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pass the serviette, please! While the term serviette is widely used across Canada for paper napkins, when a serviette is made from fabric, it's referred to as a cloth napkin.

Advertisement

17 - Hydro bill
Kameleon007/E+/Getty Images
Here in Canada, there's no such thing as an electricity bill. Instead, you can expect what kind of utility bill?
Maple bill
Hydro bill
Solar power bill
Wind bill
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most Canadians refer to their electricity bill as a hydro bill, because just over half of the power used in Canada is hydroelectric. While the term hydro is commonly used, power also comes from nuclear and, to a lesser extent, coal sources.

Advertisement

18 - Knapsack
PeopleImages/E+/Getty Images
You may know it as a backpack or rucksack. Canadians know this indispensable bag as a what?
Back bag
Bum bag
Knapsack
Kit bag
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadians love their knapsacks, especially when they've been packed with snacks. The word comes from the Dutch "Knapzak" or the German "knappsack", both of which translate to "snack bag" in English.

Advertisement

19 - Washroom
stocknroll/E+/Getty Images
What is the Canadian term for bathroom?
Washing up stall
Washroom
Cleanroom
Bathingroom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadians aren't just being polite when they ask to use the washroom! The term originally referred to a room where washing was the only activity being done, as toilets were outside or in separate rooms.

Advertisement

20 - Canadian tuxedo
David De Lossy/Photodisc/Getty Images
What do Canadians call an all-denim outfit?
Canadian tuxedo
Fashionable
Double denim
Denim duster
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A denim-on-denim outfit is called a Canadian tuxedo. Depending on where you're from (or the denim wash) this look is generally undesirable — but still worn by some avid Canadian denim fans.

Advertisement

21 - Double-double
Pixabay by StockSnap
This phrase refers to an order of coffee with double cream and double sugar at a beloved Canadian franchise. What is the term?
Twosies
Two plus two
Cream and sugar
Double-double
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sure, you could ask for double cream and double sugar when you order coffee — but why not order Canadian style and ask for a double-double? While this phrase is most often used at Tim Hortons, every barista knows what this shortened version of the order means.

Advertisement

22 - Toboggan
SimplyCreativePhotography/E+/Getty Images
A simple Canadian sled is called a what?
Toboggan
Snowracer
Flying saucer
Crazy Carpet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Unlike a traditional sled with skis or runners on the bottom, a toboggan sits flat on the snow. Traditionally used by Inuit and Cree peoples in the far north, toboggans are now mainly used for whizzing down snowy hills by children and the young at heart.

Advertisement

23 - Canadian talking
Leonardo Patrizi/E+/Getty Images
This widely spoken interjection is a definitive part of Canadian speech, often used at the end of a sentence. What is it?
No worries
Eh!
Sorry
Meh!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The word eh is typically used at the end of a sentence and can mean different things, most often confirmation of the previous statement, a question or a call for response. Usage of the term eh depends on one's geographic location (for example, Torontonians use it more than Vancouverites.)

Advertisement

24 - Zed
STUDIO BOX/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images
What is the last letter of the Canadian alphabet?
Zebra
Zed
Zany
Zonk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadians aren't alone in their pronunciation of the letter zed, it's also how the British, Australians and New Zealanders spell and say the final letter of the alphabet.

Advertisement

25 - Tuque
manonallard/E+/Getty Images
A staple of Canadian fashion for at least nine months of the year, this hat is called a what?
Beanie
Canadian cap
Hockey hat
Tuque
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A tuque (or toque, depending on who you're asking) is a knit beanie-like hat worn by Canadians across the country when it's cold out (but also when the weather warms up.)

Advertisement

26 - Toonie
Perry Mastrovito/Stockbyte/Getty Images
A $2 coin is called what in Canada?
Twofour
Double dollar
Toonie
Double loonie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The toonie made its first appearance in 1996. Made from two different metals, the toonie features Queen Elizabeth II on one side and has featured several different pictures on the other, including a polar bear, Remembrance Day poppies and an Inuit drummer.

Advertisement

27 - The 6ix
Istvan Kadar Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Torontonians have known the city as this term forever, Drake brought it into the mainstream. What is the now-famous term for Toronto?
The 99
The 6ix
The 519s
The Tdot
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Metro Toronto used to be made up of six municipalities: Etobicoke, York, East York, North York, Scarborough and the City of Toronto. In 1998, these areas were combined to form Metro Toronto, although locals continue to use these names to this day.

Advertisement

28 - Timmies
Pexels by Ajay Lobo
Where do Canadians love to get their coffee?
Timmies
Dunkin' Donuts
Krispy Kreme
The Maple Shack
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tim Hortons, or Timmies, named after beloved hockey player Tim Horton, has over 3,800 locations in Canada. Fun fact about Tim Hortons punctuation: The name lacks an apostrophe so that it doesn't have to be translated into a different format in French-speaking parts of Canada.

Advertisement

29 - The parkade
d3sign/Moment/Getty Images
You're visiting Canada with friends. Where did you park?
The car house
The concrete cabin
The parkade
The automobile bungalow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That's right, in Canada you park your car in a parkade. You may see signs for a parking lot, but rest assured what you're really looking for is the parkade. Interestingly, the only other country to use this term is South Africa.

Advertisement

30 - Elastics
BananaStock/BananaStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
What are hair ties and rubber bands called in Canada?
Elastics
Stretchies
Grippers
Twisties
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're looking for something to pull your hair back in the presence of Canadian company, you'll need to ask for an elastic (a hair elastic, specifically.) On the other hand, if you need something to keep a bag sealed, ask for an elastic band.

Advertisement

31 - Hoser
RyanJLane/E+/Getty Images
This hockey-based insult is the equivalent of calling someone a loser. What is it?
Poser
Puck hog
Ice princess
Hoser
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Popularized by Canadian "SCTV" actors Rick Moranis and Dave Moranis on their segment "The Great White North," referring to someone as a hoser is roughly the same as calling them a loser.

Advertisement

32 - Loonie
Lucidio Studio Inc/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images
Named after an iconic Canadian bird known for its haunting call, this one-dollar coin is called a what?
Loonie
Peacock
Penguin
Birdie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadians know their $1 coin as a loonie, featuring Queen Elizabeth II on one side and the common loon on the other. First put into circulation in 1987, commemorative editions of the loonie have also featured the Toronto Maple Leafs logo, Terry Fox and the CN Tower.

Advertisement

33 - Iced Capp
HiLFiGER MAN via YouTube
Fans of this iced coffee flock to Tim Hortons and ask for an abbreviated drink called a what?
Ice Coff
Chill Caff
Iced Capp
Cold Capp
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Iced Capp, also formally known as a Tim Hortons Iced Cappuccino, has been a Canadian favourite since 1999. With a slushier texture than mere iced coffee, the first four flavours were original, vanilla, caramel and mocha; feature flavours have included maple, s'mores and pumpkin spice.

Advertisement

34 - Stag and doe
franckreporter/E+/Getty Images
The Canadian name for a combined bachelor and bachelorette party (with fundraising for the wedding) is what?
Hog and hen
Stag and doe
Horse and mare
Dove and crow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Stag and does (also known as buck and does) are joint bachelor and bachelorette parties often held in rural communities. The bride and groom to be sell tickets to the event for cash and door prizes to help fund the wedding and future purchases as a couple.

Advertisement

35 - Variety store
zoranm/E+/Getty Images
When Canadians have to grab a litre of milk or some chips, they head to which kind of local store?
Bodega
Grocery store
Variety store
Chip store
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although usage of the term variety store varies from province to province, a large percentage of Canadians think of their local corner store as a variety store. Variety stores tend to sell snacks, magazines, pop, and other sundries. In most parts of the country, it is illegal to sell alcohol at variety stores.

Advertisement

You Got:
/35
FatCamera/E+/Getty Images