The Lingo Up North (Canadians please help)

[3113]

So I'm preparing for my trip to Calgary. I've been told that before visiting a foreign land, one should get to know the lingo and the local customs. I was hoping a few Canadians might assist me, as I've very little time to become fluent. What do I need to know to ingratiate myself with Calgary natives and avoid offending them?

I have heard many myths about the land of Canada. Do you really live in igloos? Does everyone play hockey? Did you really invent basketball and the telephone?

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I just got back from there and I can tell you that it's curling that's the national passion. Just end every third sentence with 'eh?' and you'll do fine. I love Canada.

 

[Safe_Bet]

Repeat after me - "Let's goo ouut an aboot, eh!"
(Note: only call your boss or important people "hosers")

 

[rgraham666]

So I'm preparing for my trip to Calgary. I've been told that before visiting a foreign land, one should get to know the lingo and the local customs. I was hoping a few Canadians might assist me, as I've very little time to become fluent. What do I need to know to ingratiate myself with Calgary natives and avoid offending them?

I have heard many myths about the land of Canada. Do you really live in igloos? Does everyone play hockey? Did you really invent basketball and the telephone?

No, we do not all live in igloos. You need a lot of snow for that and we only have a lot of snow between November and April. Although we had a green Christmas here in Toronto a couple of years ago. And twice I've lived in places where it snowed in June. Both those places got four meters (12+ feet of snow) in the winter.

No, everyone does not play hockey. I myself loathe the sport. But it is very popular.

Yes, we did invent basketball and the telephone. Although John Naismith was in the States when he invented it. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. In New Brunswick as I recall.

Seriously, if you're in Calgary act the same way as you would in Dallas. Alberta is Canada's Texas and Calgary is Alberta's Dallas. Don't shoot anybody though. That's still looked upon as improper.

 

[The_Fool]

If you has some time, make a side trip over to Banff. Check out the mountains and eat dinner at The Grizzly House. Not cheap, but oh so good.

 

[R. Richard]

Try to say something positive about the Stampeders [football] or the Flames [hockey.]

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Trying to say something positive about Canadian football requires that you understand the rules. They're different.

 

[Safe_Bet]

Trying to say something positive about Canadian football requires that you understand the rules. They're different.

Trying to say something positive about Canadian football requires a BIG ASS sense of humor too (and makes your nose grow!)

 

[rgraham666]

Don't look at me. I haven't watched a football game, American, Canadian or footy, in forty years.

 

[jomar]

Beer.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Don't look at me. I haven't watched a football game, American, Canadian or footy, in forty years.

Hmmm . . . you know, neither have I, I think. Maybe one or two.

Rugby, now, is a different story altogether! Go Springboks!http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/1volupturary_manque/SA_New_Logo.jpg

 

[rgraham666]

Rugby players eat their dead.

I saw that on a bumper sticker once.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Rugby players eat their dead.

I saw that on a bumper sticker once.

I prefer "Soccer: a gentleman's game played by hooligans. Rugby: a hooligan's game played by gentlemen."

Then there's "give blood, play rugby"

 

[Zeb_Carter]

The only thing I know about Canada is how they picked the name of their country. They put all the letters of the alphabet in a hat and had a pretty little thing pull them out and hand them to the leader of the country at the time.

He would then call out the letters so everyone could hear them.

"C eh!"

"N eh!"

"D eh!"

And that's how Canada got it's name.

 

[PrincessErin]

.....

 

[epiphany65]

The only thing I know about Canada is how they picked the name of their country. They put all the letters of the alphabet in a hat and had a pretty little thing pull them out and hand them to the leader of the country at the time.

He would then call out the letters so everyone could hear them.

"C eh!"

"N eh!"

"D eh!"

And that's how Canada got it's name.

Actually, it comes from the Iroquois words for "the village".

 

[3113]

Thanks everyone. And I've got my outfit so I can fit in with the natives!

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/thirteen1031/north-poleUSA.jpg

 

[oggbashan]

I prefer "Soccer: a gentleman's game played by hooligans. Rugby: a hooligan's game played by gentlemen."

Then there's "give blood, play rugby"

There's the further definition:

Australian Rules: A hooligan's game played by psychopaths. Another version: Broken something? You're still alive so why stop playing? Death is the only excuse for leaving the pitch during a Rules game.

Og

 

[rgraham666]

Thanks everyone. And I've got my outfit so I can fit in with the natives!

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/thirteen1031/north-poleUSA.jpg

It won't get that bad until December, 3.

Probably.

 

[joeys-game]

just be your lovely self

 

[3113]

It won't get that bad until December, 3.

I'm coming from California where it's currently 81F. I'm not used to temps below 40F

just be your lovely self

aww shucks!

 

[CharleyH]

I just got back from there and I can tell you that it's curling that's the national passion. Just end every third sentence with 'eh?' and you'll do fine. I love Canada.

Being from the urban centre of Canada, I must correct you. In the city we end our sentences with 'like'.

 

[CharleyH]

"PAUSE" Ya know?

 

[CharleyH]

Double post

 

[Safe_Bet]

Being from the urban centre of Canada, I must correct you. In the city we end our sentences with 'like'.

Oh, you say "like", eh?