Your humble narrator is intrigued by the nuance of language in Canada vs. the United States, even if both countries (mostly) speak English.
Chesterfield (sofa) and serviette (napkin) are obvious differences. Canadians will "phone" someone while Americans "call" someone. While "eh" is associated as Canadian, you can find "eh" in the upper Midwest of the U.S. and not everywhere in Canada.
The hat Canadians call a toque. I never had to learn the Canadian word for toque because I've always known the hat as a toque (or tuque). Maybe I learned it from Bob and Doug McKenzie of SCTV and Strange Brew fame. I never learned any other word for the winter hat other than toque.
I lived a lot of years on this planet, covered Canada for a lot of that time, and never knew what I am about to tell you. I figured Americans call the hat a toque. Some Americans know the word toque. Chances are they know SCTV and/or Hockey Night in Canada.
Some Americans are confused when you say the word toque. Turns out a lot of Americans call this hat a beanie. I was stunned. A beanie.
Not surprised Americans have a name for this hat. Beanie doesn't fit what this hat is; toque is the ideal word. Yet there is this divide. The surprise lies in living in a place and not knowing what people called this hat.
There could be a regional difference across the border where toque might be more common than beanie. Or your humble narrator have friends who know it as a toque.
CanadianCrossing.com Canadian society coverage
CanadianCrossing.com U.S. society coverage
Americans are more likely to adopt Britishisms, calling fish and chips as if they are American. Popular songs taught us mac (umbrella) [Penny Lane, Beatles] and windscreen (windshield) [Get Out of My Cloud, Rolling Stones]. Lift. lorry, and braces. Chips, crisps, and biscuits.
Most Americans won't reach across to Canada for terms. Chesterfield, serviette, 2-4, double double are words Canadians and fans of Canada will know. Toque also makes that list.
photo credit: me
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