Canadian and U.S. Slang
Ah ight: pronounced /ah ight/; shortened form of ‘all right’ (U.S.)
Ain’t down with: non-compliance with a situation not particularly liked; e.g. “I ain’t down with this idea!” (U.S.)
Ammo: ammunition
Anglophone: a Canadian whose first language is English; also refers to all Canadians who do not speak French (Canada)
Ankle biter: an infant
Backfire: a plan or scheme that does not work out as expected
Bail: depart or leave in a hurry
Bean Counter: an accountant
Bender: a heavy drinking session, usually lasting more than one day
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt!: an experience already lived through
Bet: reactionary response to an event that is totally unexpected but greatly appreciated; e.g. Is class canceled today? Bet! (U.S.)
Big head: someone who thinks he/she is better than others
Big shot: someone in the upper echelons of management; an important or famous person
Bimbo: an unintelligent woman
Bitchin’: complaining
Biz: business
Blonde: an unintelligent woman
Blonde moment: to do something really stupid; e.g. Don’t mind me, I’m having a blonde moment.
Bo’: pronounced/boah/; usually a male friend, but not always of the same peer group
Bonkers: crazy; something that is really bothersome; e.g. It is driving me bonkers!
Booger: a really disgustingly ugly and hideous female (U.S.)
Boomerang: a scheme or plan that backfires
Bootlicker: someone who fawns over the boss or management in order to be promoted
Boot scootin’: dancing or leaving; e.g. I gotta scoot my boots outta here now.
Booty: buttocks
break: to depart (U.S.); e.g. I have to leave now, it’s time to break.
Brekkie: breakfast
Brownnoser: someone who goes out of his/her way to impress the boss; fellow employees usually despise this bootlicker.
Bugging: acting silly or foolish; asking someone to do something silly or foolish (U.S.)
Bum: someone who lives on the street and begs money for meals, alcohol, etc; someone who always borrows things from friends and neighbors
Bush: First Nations (native) Reservation (Canada)
Buzz: the euphoria experienced when using illegal drugs; gossip, e.g. Have you heard the latest buzz?
Can: jail; toilet
Cancer stick: a cigarette
Canned: to be fired from a job
Cap: to punch someone in the face (U.S.)
Cask: wine that comes in a box, is contained inside a bladder, and has a pouring spout
Chill, chill out: Calm down; relax
Chillin’: relaxing
Chumpie: something that causes happiness, joy, or excitement (U.S.); e.g. That was a good movie; it was the chumpie.
Cinch: a sure thing; easily accomplished
Cold-blooded: heartless actions; e.g. He left her standing in the pouring rain, talk about cold-blooded!
Cool: something or someone that is very fashionable
Cop out: to give up trying to do something or give in to another’s request
Couch Potato: someone who watches television for long periods of time
Crack on: when a male attempts to get to know a female of his own peer group with the intentions of ultimately having a relationship with her because of her personality, not material possessions (U.S.); Joe’s had his eye on her for two weeks, I think he’s trying to crack on her.
Crash: to go to sleep in someone else’s house
Crib: One’s dwelling place (house, apartment, etc.)
Crook: a thief or criminal
Cube: another word for square
Cuppa: a cup of tea (Canada)
Cushie: to have it easy; e.g. He has a cushie job.
Cuz: synonym for Homes (U.S.)
Da bomb: the ultimate experience; e.g. When it comes to fast rides, the Wildcat Coaster is da bomb.
Dead: a specific event that was not worthwhile attending; e.g. Jon’s party was dead.
Dead beat: someone who is good for nothing, a bum
Decent: chumpie (U.S.); e.g. “That movie last night was decent.”
Def: decent (used with stronger emphasis) (U.S.)
Dewzie, doozie: something really big or spectacular; e.g. The thunderstorm was a real dewzie.
Dipstick: someone, usually a male, who does stupid things
Dis: to put down someone in public to the extent that it makes that person feel bad; to deliberately break an appointment or date without consenting the second party; to lie to someone; e.g. I waited for this guy at the restaurant for 45 minutes and he didn’t show up, he dissed me!
Docs: Doctor Martin shoes, especially popular with the young people of these countries
Dogging: housing; obtaining maximum sexual pleasure from a member of the opposite sex (U.S.); e.g. You should have seen that guy last night. He was all over her. He was dogging her!
Doll: a pretty or sexy woman
Douche bag: a very negative way to describe someone
Down East: an expression that Western Canadians use when referring to the Eastern provinces (Canada)
Down South: term that Northern Americans use when referring to the Southern States (U.S.)
Duck: a snob; a conceited, stuck-up female (U.S.)
Dude: a friend or acquaintance, usually male; used instead of his name
Dud: something that does not work properly
Duds: dress clothing (usually)
Duh!: Of Course! or That’s right! (always used sarcastically)
Dying: laughing hysterically (U.S.)
Dyke: a female homosexual
Eh?!: What? or You know what I mean? (Canada)
Eighth wonder: something/someone who is very cool
Fair one: a planned fight that a verbal argument precedes; e.g. That’s enough talk, man! We can have a fair one in the parking lot! (U.S.)
Fag: a male homosexual; cigarette
Fess up: confess, own up
Five finger discount: shoplifting
Flat: a case of 24 cans or bottles of beer (Canada)
For real: truth; talking in a serious manner
Fox: a very sexy and/or beautiful woman
Francophone: a Canadian whose first language is French (Canada)
Freak: an extremely beautiful female who is usually, but not always, a member of one’s own peer group
Freebie: something that costs nothing
Fresh: new; original; usually used when referring to clothing (U.S.)
Frigid: someone who keeps him/herself apart from others; a woman who refuses (or cannot respond to) sexual invitations
Frog: derogatory term referring to anyone whose mother tongue is French
Front: talking nonsense; all talk, no action (U.S.) e.g. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about, he’s fronting!
Funky: something that is very fashionable, trendy, or cool
Gay: homosexual
Get a boot: find someone of legal age to purchase alcohol or tobacco products for a minor (from bootlegger)
Get back with you: I’ll see you later.
Get busy: become active; e.g. I’m not in any activities here, it’s time to get busy.
Get high: the euphoria experienced from using illegal drugs
Geize: driving or running extremely fast (U.S.)
Get real!: think again; that is ridiculous.
Go belly up: to become bankrupt
Golden arches: Mcdonald’s restaurant
Goliath: someone who thinks he is a big shot, but really is not
Gotta: have to or must
Grooty: something that is disgusting or rundown
Gross: something very unpleasant, nauseating
grouser: a complainer, a whiner (Canada)
Gumby: a children’s television cartoon about a figure made from plasticine (U.S., Canada)
G-Y-N: Gynecologist
Happenin’: cool event or person
Heave: to vomit
Hold your horses!: Be patient!
Homes: generic term used when referring to a male whose name is unknown (U.S.); e.g. What’s up, homes?
Homey: a member of a street gang or a member of one’s neighborhood
Hooker: a female prostitute
Hook-up: ability to get proper connections with certain people or things; e.g. The guy next door has a satellite dish and a VCR, he’s got all the hook-ups.
Hot: someone who is very sexy and desirable; something that is in vogue or in fashion
Horny: someone who is sexually frustrated
Housing: totally dominating another person or team for a specific moment or duration of time (U.S.); e.g. Our volleyball team is housing those guys! The score is 14-3.
Hype: to build drama or interest with advertising campaigns that may or may not reveal the entire truth
Hyper: uptight; upset; jittery; worried; nervous
I (we) got knocked.: everything is under control (U.S.)
Idiot box: the television
Illing: synonym for bugging (U.S.)
I’m outta here!: Good bye, or I am leaving as fast as I can.
In a New York minute: very fast; e.g. When I get going, I can turn one of those out in a New York minute.
IRS: Internal Revenue Service -the U.S. tax collection agency
It’s toast!: broken or damaged beyond repair
Java: coffee
Jam: to party; getting together to play music; to be in a tight spot; e.g. I am broke and in a real jam, can you loan me five dollars?
Jawn: chumpie (U.S.)
Joe Blow: an ordinary, average person
Juiced: to be ready, or extremely excited
Keester: buttocks; kick; to have a strong smell, usually a foul odor; to do something that causes excitement; e.g. Those girls were kicking it at the dance last night.
Kick game: synonym for crack on (U.S.)
Klink: another word for jail
Knock: criticize
Knocked up: an unplanned pregnancy
Lad: a young man (Canada)
Lame: a poor excuse; a bad joke
Late: not catching the punch line of a joke for at least 5 minutes after the joke is told
Lay away: to have a store hold merchandise until it is paid for in installments
Let ‘er rip!: start or start it up
Liquid lunch: drinking beer at lunchtime; consuming more alcohol than food at lunchtime (U.S. and Canada)
Live: when a certain event is really worthwhile to attend; e.g. That party was live last night!
Livewire: someone who cannot sit still; someone who is difficult to control
Loaded: an extremely wealthy person; inebriated or drunk
Lose your cookies: to vomit or throw up
Lunch: procrastinate; to not take advantage of a given opportunity (U.S.)
Lush: an alcoholic
Making whoopie: making love
Mess: bother, annoy; e.g. Don’t mess with me right now, I’m in a bad mood.
Messing: prying; e.g. I don’t need you messing in my business!
Mickey: 12 ounce bottle of liquor, usually means whiskey unless otherwise noted (Canada)
Much obliged: Thank you; e.g. He lent me $100.00 and I said, “Much obliged.”
Neat: something that is very interesting, cool, or perfect
Nerd: someone who is very intelligent, does exceptionally well in school, and does not usually participate in sports; someone who is not cool; someone who does or says something stupid
Newfie: someone from the Province of Newfoundland (East Coast of Canada); some who is not very smart (Canada)
No joke: taking all matters as seriously as possible when dealing with a certain subject. This guy has been studying every night since he’s been here, he ain’t no joke with his schoolwork!
Nose candy: cocaine (the illegal drug)
Ock: rarely used synonym for Homes
On the nose: exact
On time: when events seem to fall in just as the right moments; e.g. That canceled class was right on time; now I can go to that party tonight!
Party pooper: a person who leaves a party early
Patsy: a scapegoat; someone who takes the blame for another’s wrongdoing, whether she/he actually participated
Play out: to use so much that it fades out; e.g. Are you listening to Curtis Blow? He’s played out!
Pogey: unemployment Insurance (now called Employment Insurance) (Canada)
Posse: a circle of friends
Poverty pack: a six pack of beer (six cans or bottles)
Psyche: joking around
Pump up: to make livelier; to fill with energy
Push: synonym for break
Pyro: a pyromaniac, someone who likes to start fires
Queen: male homosexual
Rabbit ears, rabbit’s ears: indoor television antennae
Rage: a huge party held in out of the way warehouses, etc. where teenagers and young adults overindulge in alcohol, illegal drugs, and sex
Ran together: collided (U.S.); e.g. Two 18-wheelers ran together on the highway, and they had to shut traffic down for six hours to clean up the mess.
Raunchy: loud music; horny
Retread: rebuilt tire
Ride: a specific means of transportation, usually one’s own automobile
Ride a jock: when a female attempts to get to know a male of her own peer group with the intentions of ultimately having a relationship with that person because of his personality, not his material possessions (U.S.)
Right on!: positive approval of an action
Righteous: cool
Rip-snorter: an excellent thing
Rollies: hand rolled or homemade cigarettes
Rugrat: a baby who has learned how to crawl
Running it: playing a song over and over again to the point of getting tired of hearing it (U.S.); e.g. That’s the 6th time I’ve heard that song today, they’re running it!
Rush: to gang up on someone (U.S.)
Sannie: a sandwich (Canada)
Screw: to make love
Screwed in the left ear: to have been taken advantage of; in big trouble
Screw You!: Never! Forget it! Get lost!
Sell out: not capitalizing on a golden opportunity
Shades: sunglasses
Skeezer: a person, usually a female, who attempts to have a relationship with a member of the opposite sex only for his/her material possessions
Slice: rarely used synonym for Homes
Slide: to hit someone with enough power that they fall to the ground (U.S.)
Soft: partially or totally intoxicated; drunk; high; weak, timid, not able to defend oneself.
Special: a discounted item in a store
Speedos: men’s swimming trunks
Spittin’ nails: extremely angry
Squad: a group or team; e.g. My squad is gonna win this volleyball game!
Step ‘n sop: a dance (Canada)
Strung out: under the influence of illegal drugs
Sucked in: to be duped, conned
Suck face: to french kiss using the tongue
Sucker: one who perpetrates; someone who has a lack of knowledge on certain subjects (U.S.); e.g. Look, sucker, you’ve messed with me long enough!
Sugar daddy: a cocaine dealer; a rich man who supports a younger woman
Swap spit: to kiss
Take out: bringing humor to someone (U.S.) e.g. That girl takes me out with that wild hairdo.
Texas mickey: a 128 ounce bottle of liquor (Canada)
This ain’t my first time at the rodeo!: I have done this before (U.S.)
Thingamajig: used as a substitute for the name of something forgotten or not known
Thorough: synonym for decent that is used when referring to a person; attempting to ‘get smart’ with someone
Trashed: to totally destroy something; e.g. He trashed the car when it hit the wall.
Trip: to take illegal drugs; one that brings humor to someone; e.g. The girl with the funny hairdo is a trip.
Tripping: synonym for bugging
Tub: a bath or shower
Tubbie: to have a bath or a shower (Canada)
Tubular: cool
Twisted: something that is very interesting, as in neat (Canada, U.S.)
Uggies: surfing shoes or boots (U.S.)
Undies: underwear
Unreal!: Excellent! or Unbelievable!
Up, upped: to shoplift or steal; e.g. He upped the cigarettes from the grocery store.
Up chuck: vomit or throw up
Veggies: vegetables
Vegitate: to lie back and do nothing; to totally relax, especially after hard work
Whoopie!: that is not very impressive or who cares?
Windbag: someone who talks incessantly
Wino: an alcoholic who prefers cheap wine
Wrecked: very drunk or high on illegal drugs (Canada)
Yack: to talk too much
Yahoo: someone who is thought of as unintelligent
Yahoo!: an exclamation of happiness usually used when something good happens, like winning the lottery.
Your goose is cooked!: You are in big trouble! (Canada)
Yuk!: an exclamation referring to something unpleasant
Yum, yummy: delicious
You’re toast!: You are finished, lost, dead!
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