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A Canadianism is a word or expression that is used only in Canada. When a Canadianism is used in a specific region of Canada, it is called a regionalism. Below is a small sample of Prairie regionalisms, that is, words or expressions that originate and are used only in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Word or expression | Meaning and example |
---|---|
booter | A bootful of snow or water Example: My foot sank in the deep snow, and I ended up with a booter. |
bunnyhug | A hooded sweatshirt Note: This term is most commonly heard in Saskatchewan. In other parts of Canada, this garment is known as a “hoodie.” Example: Bunnyhugs make good gifts for teenagers and young adults. |
dainties | Fancy baked treats (cookies, cakes, etc.) usually served at a social gathering Note: This term is always used in the plural. Example: After the house concert, dainties were served. |
Halloween apples! | Interjection used by children on Halloween to collect candies, corresponding to the phrase “Trick or treat!” used in other parts of Canada Example: When I answered the door, a little girl dressed as a goblin shouted, “Halloween apples!” |
jambuster | A jam-filled doughnut Example: My favourite doughnut is a jambuster dusted with cinnamon. |
late lunch | A traditional midnight spread of rye bread, cold cuts and mustard served at a social (See definition of “social” below.) Example: At a social, the guests are traditionally served a late lunch. |
matrimonial cake | A date square Example: Martha passed around a platter of brownies and matrimonial cake. |
social | A public social gathering held before a wedding to raise money for the couple that is to be married Elsewhere in Canada, this type of event may be known as a “stag and doe” or a “Jack and Jill.” Example: To help the young couple get started, their friends organized a social. |
spongee, sponge hockey | A hockey-like sport that originated in Winnipeg Spongee is played on ice with a sponge puck. Instead of skates, players wear thickly-padded sponge shoes. Example: The girls are playing in a spongee tournament this weekend. |
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