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Canadian English Style Guide

Grammar and Colloquialism Guide

Canadian English is a blend of both British and American English language rules due to Canada’s close proximity to the United States and because it is a member of the British Commonwealth. Canadian English also consists of many unique terms called Canadian-isms (slang terms used only in Canada). Refer to this basic style guide when writing or editing a text for Canadian English.

Spelling

Use “favourite,” “colour,” “honour,” and “labour” (the –our suffix opposed to the American –or).
When adding suffixes to –our words, it is customary to drop the first “u” (“humorous” not “humourous” and “honorary” not “honourary”).
Use “centre” and “theatre” (the –re suffix opposed to the American –er).
Use “strategize”, “paralyze” and “recognize” (the –ize / -yze suffix opposed to the British –ise / -yse). This rule also applies to American English.
Double the last consonant when adding suffixes. Ex. Use “travelling” “worshipped” and “cancelled” (the –ell / -epp suffixes opposed to the American –el / -ep). However, “profiting” does not apply to this rule for British or Canadian English.
Use “practice / practise”, defence / defense” and “licence / license” (the –ice / -ence suffix applies to some nouns replacing the American –ise / –ense, while –ise / -ense applies to the matching verbs as in British English). However, “advice” and “advise” are universal.
Use “catalogue” (the –ogue suffix opposed to the American –og).
Use “program” (the –gram suffix replacing the British –gramme). This rule also applies to American English.
Use “cheque” (the –que suffix opposed to the American –k or –ck).
Use “judgement” (the –dge opposed to the American –dg).
Use “tire” (the –ire suffix opposed to the British –yre). This rules also applies to American English.
Use “grey” (the –ey suffix opposed to the American –ay).
Use “aluminum” (the –num suffix opposed to the British –nium). This rule also applies to American English.

Units of Measurement

Celsius – used when referring to weather temperature (unlike “Fahrenheit” in America).
Fahrenheit – used when referring to cooking temperature (A mix of both Celsius and Fahrenheit temperatures are widely used and displayed throughout the country.)
Feet / Inches – used when measuring height. (However, centimetres and metres are used in most medical documentation.)
Inches (ie. 8.5” x 11”) / Letter / Legal – used when referring to paper sizes (opposed to the American “millimeters” or “A4” size).
Kilometres – used when referring to travel speed (not “miles” as in America).
L/100 km – used when measuring fuel (opposed to the American “miles per gallon”).
Pounds / Ounces – used when measuring weight. (However, kilograms and grams are used in most medical documentation.)
Square Feet – used when measuring property (opposed to the American “yards” or “acres”).

Education Terminology

College – refers to community college where one earns a diploma or a certificate
Frosh – refers to first-year college or university students.
Frosh Week – refers to the week before post-secondary classes start when first-year students have parties, events and new-student orientation.
Grade 1, Grade 2, etc. (not “first grade”, “second grade” as in America).
Grade 9, Grade 10, etc. or first year, second year, etc. (not “freshman”, “sophomore”, “junior”, “senior” as in America).
Grades / Marks – Both the American and British terms are used.
Kindergarten – refers to the grade before Grade 1. (Or Junior Kindergarten / Senior Kindergarten when it consisted of two consecutive years.)
Principal – refers to the head of the school.
University – refers to a Canadian university where one earns a degree or PhD (“University” does not apply to both college and university as in America).
Vice-Principal – refers to the Principal’s assistant (not “assistant principal” as in America).

Canadian-isms (Only in Canada):

Aboriginal Peoples – First Nations, Inuit and Metis people combined
As well – (opposed to “in addition” in America. However, in addition is also used)
Beaver / Whale Tails – fried dough pastry with multiple toppings shaped in a beaver or whale tail
Buck and Doe / Stag and Doe –a party where entry tickets, raffle tickets and alcohol are sold to raise money for the wedding of an engaged couple
Cheesies –cheese puffs or cheese sticks (a snack)
Chesterfield – (opposed to “sofa” in America)
Converter – (opposed to “remote control” in America)
Double Double – popular coffee with two cream and two sugar
Eavestrough – (opposed to “rain gutter” in America)
Eh? – used as in “Don’t you agree?” or “Huh?”
First Nations – Aboriginal people (opposed to “Native Americans” or “American Indians” in America)
Freezie – frozen sugar-water snack
Camping – staying in a tent in the woods or at a campground
Camp – children’s summer camps
Chinook – a warm wind that blows from east to west during late winter to early spring
Homogenized Milk / Homo Milk – (opposed to “whole milk” in America)
Housecoat – (opposed to “bathrobe” in America)
Humidex – the measurement of heat and humidity combined
Hydro – Canadian electricity
Knapsack / Bookbag – (opposed to “backpack” in America)
Kraft Dinner / KD – a popular dry macaroni and cheese mix
Loonie – the Canadian one-dollar coin
May Two-four– the first long week-end of the summer (on or around May 24th)
Mickey – a flask of hard liquor
Peameal / Back Bacon – (opposed to “Canadian Bacon” in America)
Pencil Crayon – (opposed to “colored pencil” in America)
Poutine – french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds
Runners / Running Shoes – (opposed to “sneakers” in America)
Serviette – a paper napkin
Smarties – popular candy covered chocolate pieces (similar to “M&M’s” in America)
Statutory Holidays / Stats – Public holidays legislated by both the national and provincial government
Texas Mickey – a 3L bottle of hard liquor
The States or The U.S. – the United States of America
Tims – Tim Hortons, a popular Canadian coffee shop
Toonie – the Canadian two-dollar coin
Toque – a knitted winter hat, often with a pom-pom on top
Twenty–sixer – a 750 ml bottle of hard liquor
Two–four – a twenty-four bottle case of beer
Washroom – (opposed to “restroom” in America)
Zed (for the letter Z) – (opposed to “Zee” in America)

For even more Canadian-isms, visit the site of CMU.

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