Do You Speak Canadian?

Since I've moved to Canada I've learned that a lot of things are different here than I expected them to be.  So, I'm not sure why I am always surprised when they use a different language.  And, I'm not referring to the French which is one of the official languages, I mean the English.  I'm sure you know there is quite the accent here - an accent cluttered with eh and sounding similar to the movie Fargo.  But, did you also know:

They use different words than we do for certain things:

• Restroom = washroom
• Check = bill  (when you ask for the check at a restuarant the server always hesitates)
• College = university (college here refers more to a technical school while university is what we would call a 4-year degree)
• Rapini = broccoli rabe
• Podiatrist = chiropodist
• Toque = a winter hat (this comes from the French influence)

Canadians use the British spelling of many words like:

• Center = Centre
• Flavor = Flavour
• Organization = Organisation
• Defense = Defence (though at a sports game, makes for good fan signage: a D in one hand and a picture of a fence in the other - get it?!  Unfortunately I can't take credit for that one - saw it at the Argos game.)

They pronounce things differently: 

• Process has a long O
• Herb (erb) = Herb (herb)
• Again (agen) is more like the actual spelling of the word a - gain (gane).

You'll definitely find the British influence in the language is noticeable - if you don't adapt they'll know you are a foreigner, but there could be worse things.