Toques

We Canadian’s have weird words for normal things. Some examples include: a 3 seater sofa being called a chesterfield, the great folk in Saskatchewan call hooded sweatshirts bunnyhugs and a 24 count case of beer is called a two four.
                       

A collection of my girlfriend's gray toques 

One article of clothing that that helps us stay warm in the frigid Canadian winters also has a unique name. Of course I am talking about the toque! A toque is simply a knitted hat meant to be worn in the winter to keep your head warm. Across the globe these are called, beanies, knits, tophues and bobble hats.

While a toque can be any knitted hat, I personally only associate those with a pom-pom on the top of them to be a true toque. But that’s just me. Or is it? What do you consider a toque? Let us know in the comments below.

What are 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Language

Canadian 1: "Put on your runners, grab your double-double and go pick me up a mickey and a two-four ya keener. Store's only three klicks away."

Canadian 2: "Give'r bud don't get yourself in a kerfuffle I'll meet ya by the Muskoka chairs. "

Canadian 1: "I'll owe ya two twonies and a loonie but I'll get ya Timmies or a pop next time."

Canadian 2: "Beauty."

It is a beautiful, poetic language, is it not?

Canada has two official languages to go with a number of aboriginal languages that pre-date them. Today, English is predominant while French is still largely spoken in Quebec. Many say Canadian French is completely distinct from that spoken in France, and, quite frankly, the English is pretty unique too. Particularly when you find yourself talking to a Maritimer or someone from the prairies, bunch of beauties they are.

Canada's mosaic also means that anywhere in Canada you may hear any number of languages. That said, it only takes a few trips to the hockey rink to have newcomers working in an "eh" or a "bar-downski" into their everyday vernacular.

And just FYI, no one says "hoser" in Canada. That was just an elaborate joke we played on Americans to make them sound silly. Boom.

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Understanding Men - Tip #1 - Guy Sign Language

Understanding Men - Tip #1 - Guy Sign Language

Men sure do have a way with communicating. Here at Real Man Travels we are trying to bring down the barriers and help women understand us guys a little better. 

*Warning: This may not help*

Do you know any more Guy Sign Language? If you do please let us know!

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