Coming to the Olympics? You have to be able to speak Canadian.

We thought this was kind of funny and worthy of re-posting. Then I realized when I read through it, they missed a few critical ones. I have included those at the bottom of this article. And no...we're not making this stuff up. We Canadians are an interesting bunch and have a word for everything. Trust me-Fototrips

By LEANNE ITALIE, Associated Press Writer

Have a sit-down on the chesterfield with your double-double and learn ya some Canadian.

In preparation of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C., the Associated Press has developed a list of terms all visitors to Canada should know.

With the caveat that not all Canadians may agree on the language, definitions and spellings below, and not all may use all expressions listed here all the time in all contexts in an all-joking or an all-earnest manner, let's begin:

LOONIE: One-dollar coin bearing the image on one side of a diving bird known in North America as the Common Loon.

TOONIE or TWOONIE: Two-dollar coin bearing the image on one side of a polar bear. Named as a play on Loonie and for its double-dollar denomination.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE: A coffee with two creams and two sugars.

TRIPLE-TRIPLE: You guessed it, same as above plus one each.

CHESTERFIELD: Generic term for couch. Refers elsewhere to a specific leather style.

TIMMIES: Shorthand for Tim Hortons, Canada's answer to Starbucks and making its first foray into the United States.

TIMBITS: Doughnut holes at Tim Hortons.

TWO-FOUR OR TWOFER: A case of beer that contains 24 bottles.

TOQUE or TUQUE: Pronounced TOOK, a knit cap called a ski cap in the United States.

THAT'LL LEARN YA: Meaning, "That will teach you," said in response to a stupid or non-fatal avoidable bad outcome.

HYDRO: In some areas, refers generically to electrical power and power bills.

HOMO MILK: Non-homogenized milk.

Fototrips-Okay, as promised, here are a couple more left off the list that should be included, becasue I can guarantee you, that you will encounter each of these at least once on your visit.


WOBBLY POP: What can we say. BEER!


LUNG DART: What the guy on the street is asking you, is if you can spare a cigarette.


JAR STORE: Liquor Store. yes, Canadians drink alot.


If you are driving to Vancouver and happen to be listening to the radio traffic reports, you will hear these oddities used quite a bit. Take note:


The TUBE: Massey Tunnel Highway 99 North and South from Seattle and BC Ferries.


The Cut: Highway 1 North and South from Burnaby/East Vancouver to North Vancouver en route to Whistler.


S-CURVE: Also known as the connector. This is Highway 91, which runs east and west between Richmond and New Westminster. So referred to because of the "S" share curve in the road. Look at a map, you can't see it, so maybe named after a few wobbly pops?


UPPER LEVELS: Also Highway 1. Runs through North Vancouver after you make your way up "The Cut" from the Second Narrows Bridge.


That's it for now. Happy travels eh!


Travel Images http://www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com/