The joys and differences between US/CAN spelling...

[CBR 0]

I get so confused when I read these comparison threads. It's definitely a regional thing in the US. You could probably have this same type of thread comparing northern states & southern states. They say LOTS of things differently in the south.

Here most people say let's have a cookout (neither bbq, nor grilling) and we cook on a gas or charcoal grill and it can be with or without bbq sauce. BBQ means the sauce. Grilling means cooking on a grill (gas or charcoal, either or) around here.

I hear ppl say bathroom and restroom equally, not washroom (unless they're southern & then it's "warshroom" lol).

Soda and Pop, but majority say soda. I've heard that calling all softdrinks Coke is a southern thing.

Grits are definitely a southern thing, I even found them on a store shelf down there. You won't find those nasty things up here lol!

We say bubbler, not water fountain. I think that we're definitely in the minority with that one.

However, in support of my darling hubby, we are Canada-izing those around us as much as we can:

Poutine is growing in popularity here (among our family & friends of course).

We're teaching everybody that Canadian Bacon is NOT crappy thin dried out ham, it's a yummy thick slab of deliciousness.

He uses that "what a suck" thing. I didn't know it was a canadian thing, however I've never heard anyone around here use it. I bet he'll have ppl saying it at work though.

I can't get past the way he says "I'm done the grass" to say "I'm done cutting the grass". It just doesn't sound right. That must be a Canada thing.

There's more, but I can't think of them right now.

[coldwatersurf 5]

Regarding accents, I never thought I had a detectable Canadian accent either, but I've been stopped several times by Americans who ask me "You're from Canada, right?" I'm told it's the "out and about" that gives it away. I don't discern it myself, but clearly people can pick it out of my speech even years after I've left Canada.

Here's a discussion of the whole out and about thing...

http://www.antimoon.com/forum/2002/252.htm

THAT is a biggie! I know a lot of Canadians don't think they have accents, but we do!! One American I met said it had something to do with "a's" like we soften them in certain words. As we were taking I said the word "about"...(didn't realize it of course) and he said "there it is!!" A lot of times when I meet Americans, and they find out I'm from Canada, they always ask.."oh...do you say 'aboot'?" That is actually how they hear it. I had no idea. Took me a long time to see it was true. I really like to listen to American words now, and detect the difference. Course with Tim it's hard..he has a southern accent!!

Another word too, if it's ever come up is garage. Maybe not all Canadian pronounce it the same way I do, but it also was a great conversation...and I've been asked how I pronounce that one too.

I dont know why but its always irritated me when americans already know im canadian and when i say about... and they hear it as "aboot", they get excited and say "OMG THERE IT IS!!"... seriously?!

i've asked my husband and in laws and they cant tell or they just dont catch it???

[warlord 73]

maybe BBQ/grill is a regional thing because they call it barbecue around here.. like my Bil will call us up and invite us over for a barbecue.. and they usually BBQ chicken and carne asada (thin steak).. they either use a charcoal grill or a propane grill

Yeah, as I mentioned last year, when we first went to a BBQ place here - it was just cooked meat (and I don't believe there was any open flame involved) it is really all about the BBQ sauce - which I totally don't get.

It's an all to commonly misused term. Like people who refer to any soda/pop as "coke".

Aren't hush puppies a type of shoe?

Depends on where you are. In the south, Hush Puppies is a type of food.

Hush Puppies have always been food. I even knew about that in Canada and pretty sure they sold them there too.

And yes, I actually like grits, the only breakfast thing I like and unfortunatly you either get them in the south or if you're lucky to have a Waffle House in town in the west you can get them there too.

Another southern favorite I like that has made it's way at least to Walmart here is Fried Okra. Pour some hot sauce on it and ta-da YUMMYVILLE...

[Sam and Ben 2]

I get so confused when I read these comparison threads. It's definitely a regional thing in the US. You could probably have this same type of thread comparing northern states & southern states. They say LOTS of things differently in the south.

Here most people say let's have a cookout (neither bbq, nor grilling) and we cook on a gas or charcoal grill and it can be with or without bbq sauce. BBQ means the sauce. Grilling means cooking on a grill (gas or charcoal, either or) around here.

I hear ppl say bathroom and restroom equally, not washroom (unless they're southern & then it's "warshroom" lol).

Soda and Pop, but majority say soda. I've heard that calling all softdrinks Coke is a southern thing.

Grits are definitely a southern thing, I even found them on a store shelf down there. You won't find those nasty things up here lol!

We say bubbler, not water fountain. I think that we're definitely in the minority with that one.

However, in support of my darling hubby, we are Canada-izing those around us as much as we can:

Poutine is growing in popularity here (among our family & friends of course).

We're teaching everybody that Canadian Bacon is NOT crappy thin dried out ham, it's a yummy thick slab of deliciousness.

He uses that "what a suck" thing. I didn't know it was a canadian thing, however I've never heard anyone around here use it. I bet he'll have ppl saying it at work though.

I can't get past the way he says "I'm done the grass" to say "I'm done cutting the grass". It just doesn't sound right. That must be a Canada thing.

There's more, but I can't think of them right now.

I was so surprised when I went down to visit and couldn't see a poutine on the menu at KFC... silly me.

He also looked at me with a funny expression when I asked if his brother was going to do the grass. He thought I meant water it.

[CanTex 1]

Being here in South Texas is alot of fun. They love the "eh". But the few that get them is garage. They say garaje (soft g). My grandkids (to be) say that I speak so fast sometimes that it sounds like I am parking the car in the grudge.

I also say Western (as Westurn). My fiance laughs alot at this and asks if we live in Southurn Texas. But I have problems with last

names. The J is H. and the H is silent. Jesus (in Canadian language) is Hasooz. and Hinojsa (last name) is Inososa. So I will have fun

and so will they. When people have fun with each other's accent it can be soooo much fun.

Wait 'till my fiance comes from South Texas to Eastern Canada (New Brunswick). Oh that slow, easy, mumble of Easterners against

the slow drawl of South Texas should be so much fun. Then add some beer, wine or margaritas in there we should take the ferry over

to Newfoundland and start our own language.

Have fun with it - we do.

[Sam and Ben 2]

Hrm, I should add the big stickler... for those of us under the age of 21... Haha.

It's funny, at maybe (maybe) a cooler a week here, if that, alcohol is the least of my concerns. But having to watch as all other guests at the table can sip a drink while I'm stuck with water is a hard one to swallow!

Wonder if they'll bat an eye at my wedding?

[Krikit 1,164]

Another southern favorite I like that has made it's way at least to Walmart here is Fried Okra. Pour some hot sauce on it and ta-da YUMMYVILLE...

To me, fried okra is like eating fried snot.

[thetreble 19]

I can't get past the way he says "I'm done the grass" to say "I'm done cutting the grass". It just doesn't sound right. That must be a Canada thing.

I'd say the same thing as him. That is a very particularly British thing to say. Often times in England, in certain geographical parts (esp. up north), people often leave out the verb in sentences like that. It's kind of weird and I have no idea where it originated from but I know I do it too.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Another southern favorite I like that has made it's way at least to Walmart here is Fried Okra. Pour some hot sauce on it and ta-da YUMMYVILLE...

To me, fried okra is like eating fried snot.

You'ved eaten fried snot?

Do you deep fry it?

[Marilyn. 340]

I call it barbecuing.. like I say, I am going to barbecue some hot dogs or barbecue some steak... and it doesn't usually involve barbecue sauce..

[TimandJoyce 1]

I dont know why but its always irritated me when americans already know im canadian and when i say about... and they hear it as "aboot", they get excited and say "OMG THERE IT IS!!"... seriously?!

i've asked my husband and in laws and they cant tell or they just dont catch it???

I know..I've gotten that alot too. Or of course..."do you say "aboot?" how do you say "garage?" "do you speak french?" I've had that one a few time...

I don't mind over all...I just laugh with them...

Wait 'till my fiance comes from South Texas to Eastern Canada (New Brunswick). Oh that slow, easy, mumble of Easterners against

the slow drawl of South Texas should be so much fun. Then add some beer, wine or margaritas in there we should take the ferry over

to Newfoundland and start our own language.

Have fun with it - we do.

exactly!! I have so enjoyed meeting Tim's family and friends...he has a lot of them!! I'm the minority...the new kid on the block...the one with a different accent...LOL

[redBlue 1]

Aren't hush puppies a type of shoe?

In toronto area,yes they are type of shoes ..very comfortable and good quality.. was wondering about the same thing ..why are these people talking about shoes in the middle of food/language discussions ...so funny!

[TimandJoyce 1]

Aren't hush puppies a type of shoe?

In toronto area,yes they are type of shoes ..very comfortable and good quality.. was wondering about the same thing ..why are these people talking about shoes in the middle of food/language discussions ...so funny!

I've had hush puppies in the South..I like them! I'm hoping someone else will tell me what they are again... I think deep fried cornmeal or potato balls? Sometimes they have onions in them. They're very tasty.

[TimandJoyce 1]

Ok...not difference in spelling or food or the way we pronounce our words, but...

runners vs. tennis shoes!!

I just say runners!! Don't even call them running shoes. When I was in California last year, I was at the beach with my friend and her sister, and I said, "so glad I didn't wear my runners". Her sister looked at me and said, "huh????" I had no idea. So Gayla informed her..."tennis shoes"....

Not sure if they're called runners anywhere else in the States. I can't wait to tour and see all the differences everywhere.

[thetreble 19]

Here in Jersey people call them sneakers, shoes or "kicks".

They are runners to me!