Thread: Colloquialisms

Originally Posted by xman

'Hoser' was a term made up by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas. It's not in wide use although non Canadians sometimes like to use the term to refer to a Canadian. It was innitially intended to refer to a guy who always got 'hosed' or drunk all the time and Gettin' Hosed is in use.

X

I thought it got it's start on SCTV with those two. I never realized it didn't become popular vernacular up north. Thanks for the lesson, X

Very good, x. But what's a hoser,eh?


Justin


Sorry about that ---I see it got posted when I submitted my post.

This one's for you Justin.

The term Cajun is a short form of Acadian which is derived from Canadien, the term for the French speaking people from the Maritimes who were driven south by the Limeys.

X

Jimbo, good onya , mate. Thanks for starting this thread . I've learned a sh-t load.
Hooroo,


Justin

Originally Posted by xman

This one's for you Justin.

The term Cajun is a short form of Acadian which is derived from Canadien, the term for the French speaking people from the Maritimes who were driven south by the Limeys.

X

Yes Sir Mr. X. Cajuns here can trace there ancestory to the eastern parts of Canada. However, not all people of French descent here are Cajun. My last name is Fournet but this is not a Cajun name. The Fournets came directly from France and I believe initially landed in Galveston, TX. I really don't associate myself with the Cajun culture because there is a certain division between French peoples of different origins. But the Cajun culture has probably been the most exported with the French creole thing being also recognized. Also, my last name is French but I have just as much German, Welsh, and Scottish blood --- plus a touch of Choctaw Indian. The french thing is alright but I tend to appreciate the other parts of my blood line more. My mother's last name is Hymel (German) --originally Himmel --but through French influence became Hymel. Moreover, I'm more of a displaced "Red Neck" ---i.e. Northern Louisianian --my parents both were born more north and along the Louisiana/Missiissippi border. Anyway --just a bit more info.

Justin

Nick Sabin, ex-Miami Dolphins coach as well as former LSU Tigers' football coach got into a little trouble a few days ago when using the word "coonass" in a private conversation. Typically around here, people whether Cajun or not will call each other a coonass in casual conversations. Coonass in general means a stupid, backwards Cajun --kind of how Red Neck is used sometimes. It might also have some ehtnic/racial implications as well. This word is used so much around here that it's hard to understand why Mr. Sabin got in trouble ---other than he's not from Louisiana and moreover not a Cajun. Personally, I think it's all crazy and obsurd . There are people within Louisiana (and maybe the world) that think Cajun is equal to coonass. Buy anyway just another one of those difficult ethnic/racial/cultural things. Later,

Justin

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

There are people within Louisiana (and maybe the world) that think Cajun is equal to coonass.

To me Cajun means Zydeco Creole, basically, yummy fun!

X

Hehe...here a double-double is a cheese burger with two patties and two slices of cheese I had one for lunch as a matter of fact with a side of onion rings

Whats scary is that I didn't even think of some of those Canadian ones as colloquialisms until you pointed it out, they are so common around here in MI that I had to think about it to realize that I don't here them when I travel west of Chi town or south of Toledo. Some on the other hand are just freekin weird to a near resident of Hockeytown like myself .

Originally Posted by Wildtim

... Hockeytown ...

I'd forgotten that one. I'm sure there are more too.

It's amazing how much overlap there is between the Ontario colloquialisms and Machindo. I'm from Southern Ontario and have actually had other Canadians ask me if I'm American.

X