As for purchasing property, it's basically the same, with the exception of surface, and mineral rights. Often times the trees on your property or any mineral rights on the property belong to the "crown", unless it's spelled out beforehand. This was something I dealt with in Ontario as we bought 20 acres of mostly wooded acreage there. It wasn't a big deal, but the first property we looked at wouldn't have allowed us surface rights. If your buying a tract house or a condo, this isn't something you'd really need to be worried about. It's just like buying any property in the U.S. Unless your prepared to pay cash youll have a mortgage, and will pay property taxes based on the assessed value that the province has determined for your home.
As for language there are a few things that you'll quickly adapt to. Among them:
Loonie - A common euphemism for the Canadian one-dollar coin.
Toonie - A common euphemism for the Canadian two-dollar coin, pronounced "too-nee."
Homo Milk - A commoner's slang for homogenized whole milk; 3% milk.
Timmy'sorTim's - Slang for Tim Horton's, a chain of doughnut and coffee shops named after a famous hockey player.
Eh - (pronounced "ey", as in "hey" or "hay") A suffix some Canadians add to the ends of sentences, to ask for a response of agreement or disagreement, similar in meaning to "don't you think" or "right?"(Similar to the word "Huh?" Used in the states.) (eg. "Looks like a storm comin' in, eh?"). It is also sometimes used with "I know," as in, "Wow, the Edmonton Oilers really kicked butt tonight!" -"I know, eh?"
Two-Four - A blue-collar euphemism for a case of twenty-four beers.
Toque - (pronounced "tuke," like Luke) A knit cap usually worn in winter. Known as a Ski Cap in the USA.
Click- A euphemistic term for a kilometer.
The States - The United States of America is often referred to as "the States," except in writing, when it becomes "the US."
Washroom - Refers to a place where one would find the toilet, sink, and bath tub. Here in the U.S. we call it the rest room.
Pop - Many Canadians use the term "pop" to describe sweet, carbonated beverages.(Soda in the states.)
Poutine - (pronounced poo-TEEN) French fries served with cheese curds, and covered in gravy. Originated in Quebec but now prevalent across Canada.(Awesome delicious heart attack in a bowl. You aren't Canadian until you've played some hockey and stopped for some poutine and beer, although depending on where you get t, oit can be very bland and taste like ass.)
Beaver Tail - A flat, flaky, fried pastry in the general shape of a beaver's tail. It is often served with a variety of toppings: ice-cream, maple syrup, powerdered sugar, and fruits. Originated in, and pretty much limited to, Ottawa.
Also, not being from Canada, do not call a Canadian "Canuck" in mixed company. It could be seen as an insult coming from a Yankee like yourself.
Other negative slang terms are:
Hoser- Hoser: The term has many origins: The most common refers to the game of hockey, before the invention of the zamboni, the losing team would have to hose down the ice. Thus creating the term "hoser".
Frog - derogatory term for French Canadians from Quebec. More common, however, is "Jean-Guy Pepper," or "Pepper," or I've heard Geddy call them"Pepsis'" generally attributed to the fact that French-Canadians are like a bottle of Pepsi, having nothing but air between the neck and the cap.
SOme other language differences are:
A dead giveaway that someone is Canadian is if they refer to "Grade 5" as opposed to "Fifth grade".
The term "junior high" is used instead of "middle school," and the terms "freshman", "sophomore", "junior", and "senior" are virtually never applied to high school or secondary school. Post-secondary students are generally referred to by the year of their program.
"University" is limited to or refers to schools which offer four-year, degree programs. The term "college" typically only refers to two-year program community colleges.
The More You Know!
Topic: Is Canada for me? (Read 4426 times)
