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Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

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Old Oct 25th 2012, 4:59 am
  #46  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

"So whaddya figure!"

My other half still randomly says that to me from out of nowhere - and I still to this day say "how the hell do you want me to respond to that????"

Whaddya figure means to me that someone wants my opinion on something - Canadians seem to use it instead of "So hows it going" which you can give an answer to. Whaddya figure just seems rhetorical
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Old Oct 25th 2012, 6:14 am
  #47  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Having a hissy fit threw me when I first arrived - oh and the 'double fisting' one too of course!.

I think I have been here too long to be confused about any now.

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Old Oct 25th 2012, 6:21 am
  #48  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Originally Posted by HSJones
A 'charley horse'.

When I first heard that I was thoroughly confused!
I came across this for the first time recently! My boyfriend used the term and I thought he was being dirty

He and I often have lively debates about the merits (and otherwise) of one another's use of English...

Canadians are pretty entertaining
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Old Oct 25th 2012, 12:50 pm
  #49  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Originally Posted by adele
He and I often have lively debates about the merits (and otherwise) of one another's use of English...
There is no debate, never forget that we speak English, they dont, and always remember, they are the ones with accents, this is what English is supposed to sound like!
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Old Oct 25th 2012, 1:08 pm
  #50  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Innit!
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Old Oct 25th 2012, 1:16 pm
  #51  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

What does charley horse and double fisting mean over here?
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Old Oct 25th 2012, 1:21 pm
  #52  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Originally Posted by Geordie Lass
What does charley horse and double fisting mean over here?
Er... where in the world are you? Depending on your location they will have completely different meanings... and I means streets/blocks apart!


A "Charley horse" or "Horse Gummit" is a popular North American colloquial term for painful spasms or cramps in the leg muscles

Last edited by james.mc; Oct 25th 2012 at 1:24 pm.
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Old Oct 25th 2012, 2:04 pm
  #53  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Originally Posted by iaink
There is no debate, never forget that we speak English, they dont, and always remember, they are the ones with accents, this is what English is supposed to sound like!
You could at least credit that to Jimmy Carr!
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Old Oct 25th 2012, 2:53 pm
  #54  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Originally Posted by siouxie
Having a hissy fit threw me when I first arrived - oh and the 'double fisting' one too of course!.

I think I have been here too long to be confused about any now.

I thought 'hissy fit' was English, have been using that one for years but you're right saying 'Having a fit' here always means being angry, otherwise an epileptic type fit is always called a seizure.

At work, there are loads of differences, most too specific to mention here but a few of them are:

trolleys, trolleys are carts, or stretchers. Drip stands are IV stands, walking sticks are canes, of course the whole pants/trousers thing, and vest/undershirt.
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Old Oct 25th 2012, 3:35 pm
  #55  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Originally Posted by james.mc
Er... where in the world are you? Depending on your location they will have completely different meanings... and I means streets/blocks apart!
I am in Calgary.

I know what it means in the British way but have no idea what it means in Canada and can't think how it could mean something innocent/clean.

I also remember explaining what Howay meant to you! Sooooo.....
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Old Oct 25th 2012, 4:09 pm
  #56  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Originally Posted by Geordie Lass
I am in Calgary.

I know what it means in the British way but have no idea what it means in Canada and can't think how it could mean something innocent/clean.

I also remember explaining what Howay meant to you! Sooooo.....
Totally innocent, lol - it means a beer (or drink) in both hands at the same time.

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Old Oct 25th 2012, 4:31 pm
  #57  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Originally Posted by siouxie
Totally innocent, lol - it means a beer (or drink) in both hands at the same time.

HAHHAHAH - seriously?
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Old Oct 25th 2012, 4:34 pm
  #58  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Originally Posted by Geordie Lass
HAHHAHAH - seriously?
Absolutely! First time my husband used that expression (at our wedding reception) I nearly fell over...

verb - ambitransitive

to hold two alcoholic drinks, one in each hand.
Jack is such an alcoholic he's double fisting.
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Old Oct 25th 2012, 5:32 pm
  #59  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Originally Posted by siouxie
Absolutely! First time my husband used that expression (at our wedding reception) I nearly fell over...

verb - ambitransitive

to hold two alcoholic drinks, one in each hand.
Jack is such an alcoholic he's double fisting.
Thanks I'd never heard that. Hoser is one term, which they seem to use affectionately, that I still can't really get my head around even though some of tried to explain it to me. As far I can tell its just a drunk div?
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Old Oct 25th 2012, 5:47 pm
  #60  
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Default Re: Canadian Expressions that confuse the British

Originally Posted by Oink
Thanks I'd never heard that. Hoser is one term, which they seem to use affectionately, that I still can't really get my head around even though some of tried to explain it to me. As far I can tell its just a drunk div?
We borrowed a sat nav when we got here (left ours in the car we sold in the UK) and it had a running commentary

"Hey Hoser - you're going the wrong way, turn around"

Made us laugh like drains every time

I presumed it was just a term for someone a bit silly etc?
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