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Jul
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Written by:
Lainey Bancroft
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 12:00 AM
Eh?
Yep. We really say eh, eh. Some more than others. And yes, it really does have different inflections that mean completely different things. You'd have to be Canadian to get it, eh?
We also add a 'u' to words like colour, honour and labour. Our alphabet ends in zed not zee. We drink pop instead of soda, eat back bacon, and hang out at 'Timmies' sucking back jumbo double-doubles and scarfing way more Tim Bits than we should. We have the unique distinction of having elected a Prime Minister who was not particularly fluent in English or French. Most Canadians consider beer with less than 5% alcohol 'near-beer.' Most also own toques and are conditioned to the fact they will need to be worn--often from October until June.
Coast to coast, Canada has wonderful things to offer. Idyllic small towns and clean, safe larger cities. The Kawartha lake district that draws movie stars and sports icons to buy or build multi-million dollar 'cottages.' Alberta beef, BC salmon, PEI potatoes, Quebec maple syrup, the wonderful wine region in my own back yard...
Authors like Farley Mowat, Margaret Attwood, Pierre Berton, Mordecai Richler, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Robert W. Service, and Ann-Marie MacDonald have put Canada on the literary map. Canada has also produced some great bands--Alanis Morrissette, Bare Naked Ladies, Nickleback and the list goes on.
In celebration of Canada Day, almost EVERYTHING is closed--beer and liquor stores, malls, grocery stores, banks, post offices. We'll spend a quiet day, chillin' with the grill and remembering why we're so happy to say Happy Canada Day!
8 comment(s) so far...
Re: Happy Canada Day...
Happy Canada Day, Lainey! Thanks for the great summary of your wonderful country! I've been to Toronto - love it there! - and Vancouver - love it there too! I'd like to go back to both one day and also see Whistler some time.
I hope you're having fun chillin'! Hugs!
By Robin on
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 4:10 PM
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Re: Happy Canada Day...
Happy Canada day !!!! I am suprised and somewhat disturbed the beer store is closed :) Cheers eh
By Jeff on
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 4:10 PM
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Re: Happy Canada Day...
You missed "authors like Lainey Bancroft." :)
I had to look up toques. I think I wear one, too, here in Wisconsin. As for the Prime Minister who isn't fluent in French or English, we had that with GW Bush. Thank God for Obama!
Happy Canada Day! I'll drink a beer for Canada tonight. Sorry, but it's light beer. (ducking!)
By Edie on
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 4:11 PM
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Thanks, Robin!
You should definitely see Whistler..and Lake Louise and the Kawartha Lakes and and and...I love to travel and there honestly aren't that many places I wouldn't recommend. Although from the little I've seen you could probably coast right on through Manitoba and Saskatchewan. =)
Part of the fun of Gas' yearly tool head conventions is that it takes us to places we may not otherwise have visited--Vermont, North Carolina, Colorado. They're all landing here this year! Be afraid. :0
By Lainey on
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 4:29 PM
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lmao, Jeff.
There is your Canadian lesson of the day. We're like the Boy Scouts: Be Prepared!
No, worries. There aren't any 'official' holidays while you're here and the Beer Store will remain open...and busy if I had to guess. ;-)
By Lainey on
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 4:33 PM
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Aw, Edie...
Aren't you sweet.
I was so surprised 'toque' wasn't a universal word. lol. Readers Digest recently had a whole list of 'Canadianisms' but do you think I could find that issue in the stacks of magazines around here?
Cheers! No worries. I drink light beer, too. Although it doesn't seem to be making me any lighter. WWT????
By Lainey on
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 4:36 PM
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Re: Happy Canada Day...
LOL, I have no idea what a toque is, but Happy Canada Day, Lainey!
What I've seen of Canada (just Toronto, really), I loved.
By Michelle on
Thursday, July 02, 2009 8:32 AM
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Michelle...
You're lucky you don't know what a toque is. =)
Congrats again on the big agent news!
By Lainey on
Thursday, July 02, 2009 8:33 AM
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