Toronto, known as one of the most multicultural cities in the world, is also known for speaking differently compared to other parts of the country and even different from other Canadian cities. Known for Toronto slangs like “You betcha!” or “Eh?” or “Ahlie”, this city has its own way of speaking that 750,000 residents have merrily picked up and made a part of their lives.
In fact, it is said that speaking like a Torontonian is a rite of passage to join the community since the Toronto slang used is unique to this diverse urban center.
Loonie / Toonie
Meaning: The loonie and toonie are the dollar coins used as currency in Canada. A “loonie” is a one-dollar coin. A “toonie” on the other hand, is a two-dollar coin.
Use: Loonie is mostly used to mention that all you have is a penny, which means you are short of cash.
Eh?
Meaning: The simplest way to remember the definitions of “eh” is to think of the various “huhs” and “whats” used in America today.
Use: There are several variations of “eh” that can be used depending on who you’re speaking with or how old you are. Used almost a thousand times in a day, “Eh?” comes into play when you don’t understand something or hear something unbelievable or are expecting a response from someone.
Double-double
Meaning: A coffee with double cream and double sugar.
Use: Calling it double-double seems like an obvious thing to do! Popularized by the famous coffee shop chain Tim Hortons, the name double-double caught on as quickly among the Torontonians as the delicious Java itself.
Timmies
Meaning: The shortened version of Tim Hortons — a chain of fast-food/café.
Use: Some call it Tim Hortons, but most know it simply as Timmies — the beloved Canadian coffee and doughnut chain that the locals adore. (Psst. when at Timmies, don’t forget to try their delectable Timbits and thank us later!)
Two-four
Meaning: 24!
By Molson Coors Brewing Company, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Use: The term ‘two-four’ is often used in reference to a beer case with 24 beers. Carry one when you are invited to a barbecue day with the boys next!
6ix
Meaning: This slang refers to the cities, all six of them, that have given way to current day Toronto.
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Use: The term 6ix, or just 6ix, has become the nickname for the beloved city. It is both spoken and written in texts among friends and has even been featured on T-shirts and other merchandise.
Mickey
Meaning: An easy-peasy term for a cute liquor bottle.
Use: An easy-to-carry, mini liquor bottle that can be stowed away in the purse or pockets and even hands — that’s mickey for you. These little fountains of elixir can only be found at the LCBO.
Toque
Meaning: A winter cap that has a cutesy pom pom on the top.
Use: Pronounced as ‘too-uk’ or simply tuke, this term finds its origins in Arabic and Medieval French and every other person in Toronto can be seen donning this cap during the winters.
Canuck
Meaning: Canuck is a term used to refer to a Canadian.
Use: It is commonly used in sporting parlance. It is also a part of sporting team names like the Vancouver Canucks.
Pop
Meaning: Carbonated beverages — sodas or colas are collectively called Pops in Toronto.
Use: “Let’s down a couple of pops while the game is on.”
Klick
Meaning: Short for the metric unit of measurement kilometers.
Use: Klick is a quintessentially Canadian term usually used to measure the distance traveled — especially if one uses a car to get around the city.
Zed
Meaning: The alphabet Z, or as those in America call it, ‘Zee’ is pronounced as Zed here.
By Jonymamilou – Je l’ai prise, CC BY 2.5, Link
Use: While Zee is equally acceptable, to sound like a true local, go for the OG Zed.
Ahlie
Meaning: It’s actually a shortening of the term “allie,” which refers to an ally.
Use: This Toronto slang is used to refer to anyone who is not your enemy.
Keener
Meaning: A person is called a keener if he/she tries very hard to please others and it is apparent.
Use: The word is also used to refer to an overly enthusiastic person — quite similar to a ‘nerd’ or a ‘geek’.
Stag/Stagette
Meaning: Bachelor and bachelorette parties are commonly referred to as stag/stagette parties in Toronto.
By Derek Springer, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
Use: The origin of stag/stagette is difficult to pinpoint, but it’s a pretty common term and anything else used to describe these groups sounds plain weird.
Kerfuffle
Meaning: Kerfuffle is what you call a commotion or an argument caused due to a difference of opinion.
Use: A post-game, friendly banter between fans of different teams is a perfect example of a kerfuffle.
Are u dumb
Meaning: This slang is a casual reference to mean that someone is behaving in a stupid manner.
Use: This term is popularly used when you think the other person is speaking stupidly or doing something that is childish or frivolous. It is a sarcastic, rhetoric remark, often used to exclaim at the idiocy of close friends with whom you share a cordial and casual relationship.
Tdot
Meaning: Tdot is a slang used to describe an individual from Toronto, Canada.
By Getfitvi, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Use: It’s pronounced either tie-dott or tuh-dutt. You are most likely to hear this from the older (pre-millennial) locals living in Toronto. Think of it as an older version of 6ix.
Bare
Meaning: A measure for something, mostly a lot of it.
Use: The Toronto term ‘Bare’ is used to describe an abundance of something.
Trono
Meaning: Trana is a variation of ‘Toronto’.
Use: A true Torontonian would never pronounce the first ‘O’ and the last ‘T’ in ‘Toronto’! If one does, it’s clear as day that they are not from around these parts.
Come thru
Meaning: To come thru is to do something that one was expected to do.
Use: ‘Your friend got you your morning cuppa? They came thru.’ ‘They took you to the doctor when you twisted your ankle? Well, you guessed it right, they came thru!’
Nahhh
Meaning: A variation for a negative reply.
Use: No is too mainstream. People here would rather say ‘Nahhh’ with a sweet rippling sound effect at the end.
Cyattie
Meaning: A woman who is obnoxiously loud and notoriously obtuse about it.
Use: Cyattie is used to refer to a female who is quite disgustingly disgusted about everything and makes that obvious without a care in the world. Basically, someone you’d not want to get stuck in an elevator with!
Deafaz
Meaning: Deafaz is a hard-hitting physical blow that could either be a slap or a punch.
Use: It is a commonly used terminology to describe the hits handed in curbside brawls.
Differently
Meaning: To speak differently is to speak frankly.
Use: Mostly used to describe when a person speaks without any inhibitions or care for other peoples’ opinions.
Dun know
Meaning: No, it’s not what you think it is. On the contrary, dun know is used to convey that something has been understood in its entirety.
Use: It is used to confirm that a message has been received and is well-understood.
Fam / Fom
Meaning: Short for family.
Use: Fam/fom is a word that is used to denote closeness among friends and close acquaintances.
Wallahi
Meaning: The word Wallahi has Arabic roots and it is a term used for ‘I swear’.
Use: Often used by the Muslim folks, it has quickly evolved into a very commonly used Canadian term.
Greezy
Meaning: Greezy is something that’s impressive or attractive in the sense that it is fashionable.
Use: For example, “Wow! Those sneakers look greezy fam!”
Bucktee
Meaning: A Somali word that is used to refer to a homeless person.
Use: A rather derogatory term that is used quite frequently. It is often used to refer to a crackhead, as well.
Different slangs are interesting and unique to the city. What makes them unique is that the most common terms and sentence formulations get a twist, just like any other part of speech can get. One of the most unique things about the different Toronto slangs is that they make up a dialect of their own. While they are not as difficult to understand as that of the Scots, Torontonians still have a way of speaking English that doesn’t come naturally to everyone. We hope that this article helps in making the Toronto slang a way of talking for you!