Canadian Slanguage

Punk Culture

The punk subculture had beginnings in the 70’s and the movement evolved far into the 80’s. This generation embraced ideas that their parents from the Hippie era could not relate to. So the punk subculture 70 & 80’s brought about great change.

Punk Movement

The punk movement was a dominant subculture of the times. They were concerned with individual freedom, DIY ethics, anti-authority, anti-corporatism, anti-consumerist and anti-establishment. They were non conformists pure and simple. Members became known as Punks and expressed themselves in grunge music or punk rock. There were factions within the punk group of new wave, post-punk, hardcore punk, street punk and pop punk.

Punk Identity

Members of the movement identified themselves differently than the hippie movement that preceeded them. Fashion statements were T shirts(often offensive/or band related), torn tight-legged jeans, leather jackets, Dr. Martin boots, high top chucks, bright colored hair, spiked mohawks, tattoos and body peircing. The women and men identified themselves in the same fashion and with equal rights. There was a strong sense of a strait edged self. One refrained from drug and alcohol or one submerged in it. Vegetarianism and animal rights grew out of this era.

Punk Rock

Music of the times was influenced by the loud and agressive theme of rock and heavy metal but from this evolved garage rock/punk rock. Garage rock was a do-it yourself method of production with a vocalist. electric guitars and drummer. The songs were short, loud, with few cords and delivering a strong message of the times. Influencers were New York Dolls, The Stooges, The Ramones, Sex Pistols, Motorhead and more. The common dance was the pogo. To do so you held the body rigid and jumped up and down on the spot.9like a pogo stick) Moshing was another dance form which was body slamming. Remember the mosh pit? Crowd surfing? Think it is still a thing.

Punk Slang

Their generation stood out and their slang was a rapidly growing language. Do you identify with the punk era. Who was yer best band? Mine was Cindy Lauper! Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! There;s fond memories in yer music. Do you still talk the talk or walk the walk? Still wearin’ yer Chucks! Slang….some of the best words and sayings! Whats yer best saying? Hope yer still…. like…. totally….. saying it!

1960’s Hippie Generation

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In the 1960’s Hippie Generation..the times were a changin’! America became deeply involved in the Viet Nam War, the baby boomers were coming of age, a civil rights era was kicking in, protests were strong, right wing politics was questioned and Watergate break-in happened. All this created an atmosphere for a strong distrust of the Establishment (the ruling classes);by the peeople.

The ethos of the 1950’s Beat Generation continued on but; by 1967, the times became known as the 1960’s Hippie Generation. The Beatniks of the 50’s desired change but always kept a low profile. Politics and stereotypes in society were common denominators but the 1960’s Hippie Generation were louder, more aggressive and actively protested for change.

The Hippie Movement evolved from the literary Beatnik era who sported turtlenecks, short hair and beards. The Hippies were known for communal living, harmony in nature, useage of recreational drugs(lots of weed and acid) and free love. A hippie was easily recognized by their appearance with psychodelic clothing, fringes, tie dyed clothing, headbands, grannie glasses, barefeet, sandals,colorful VW vans,bellbottoms and their long hair. Also referred to as a Flower Child! The Peace symbol became their own symbol and the two finger, vee shaped, hand gesture became their greeting. Peace and Love were their mantra!

During these times; there was a new rage of music happening and music is a big influencer of the era. There was a shift from the popular Beatlemani in the early 60’s to a harder edged rock. Joe Cocker, Santana, The Who, The Band, Greatful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jimmie Hendrix were popular and expressing the new times through their lyrics. I have to mention the Woodstock concert; held in Bethel NY, in August of 1969. It was the greatest outdoor concert of all time. These bands (and more); gathered in a farmers field, along with thousands of like minded and free spirited Hippies. They communed and partied for 3 solid days to celebrate and share Peace and Love! Oh to have been part of that!

As per usual; with every counter culture, new sayings and slang evolved from the chaos!

Share yer 60’s slang so we can all find our inner Hippie! Peace and Love to all y’all!

1950’s the Beat Generation

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Discover who you are by exploring the 1950’s the Beat Generation.

The 1950’s; the Beat Generation, was an era that questioned social change in North America. The Second World War was now history, the troops were back home fueling a big economy, a new generation ( the Baby Boomers) was being created and the generation known as the Beat Culture was forming. Television was just being introduced to the mass market and soda shops were popular. In the latter part of the era; rock and roll was being fueled by; a very young Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johny Cash(yes he was a rocker firstly) and Buddy Holly. The younger people of the time; heavily embraced this movement and the call for change it represented.

All generations or decades have a counterculture and the 1950’s were no different. The Beat Generation was a literary movement whose work influenced the counterculture with respect to change in society. Essentially it called for liberation of censorchip, sexual morals and spirituality. They wanted drugs decriminalized. Also expressed concerns for the de-emphasis of military and industrialization in society. They fought for a new emphasis on ecology with respect to the land and demanded a new respect for the indigenous peoples and their ways. It was a time for questiioning standards and stereotypes in society. They questioned quietly with no major protests. They were considered intelectuals and a more peaceful movement.

As with all movements, the 1950’s; the Beat Generation spawned changes in society but it can also be noted in their dress and language. Imagine this; people wearing turtlenecks, berets, men in short hair, women in long hair, sporting horn rimmed glasses, playing the bongos, smoking weed and listening to jazz music. The people of this time were pretty layed back/cool and became known as the “Beatniks”. Some great slang derived from that era that was certainly condusive to the times. Step back in time and honor the people, their words and the meanings they introduced to the world!

Slang from Coast to Coast

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Canada is often referred to as The Great White North and the true north strong and free. Its all so true! We talk slang from Coast to Coast. Love our Country! Love our slang! We are all so proud to be Canadian.

Lay of the Land

Canada is bi-coastal with the Pacific Ocean to the West and the Atlantic Ocean to the East. Mountains to the west are the beautiful Rockies that extend up to the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Eastern Mountains are the Appalachian Mountain Range. These mountains, waterways and the vast wooded areas we call home; were attractive to early settlers. This was the land of great opportunity and new beginnings. British Columbia is the most coastal province on the west then Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec in the interior. Most easterly are the Atlantic Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland/Labrador and Prince Edward Island.

Canadian Heritage

The earliest settlers were the Indigeneous Peoples who had settlements spread out across the whole country. Their culture and heritage is celebrated at numerous festivals where you can experience their customs, music and dance. The French explorers sailed to the Eastern shores of Canada then sailed on up to and settled the Quebec region. Multiple ethnic groups then began to travel to this new land from the English, Irish, Scottish, Dutch and others. As a result; Canada has become known as a melting pot. From there; settlers soon spread out to the interior with the hope and promise of new land to settle. They braved miles of travels by wagon trains or waterways and endured great hardships. This new land offered a new way of life and opportunity to pioneering families. Cant begin to imagine life then! Can you?

Canadian Slang

So what influenced the slang spoken by Canadians everywhere? That all depends on which province you are in. Coastal slang had strong influences from the waterways. The interior provinces woud have been more influenced by the ethnic groups that settled the areas. Fishing, lumbering, logging, mining were all areas offering great industry and substantial growth for each province. The larger the area became the bigger the slang influences. Thieves, beggars and criminals strongly influenced slang; in the earliest years, by the secret codes they used to communicate with each other. Slang evolved from there, crossed all borders and genres and is now found everywhere you look. We all have our own slang unique to each province. The different accents you hear make it even more amusing. Hope all y’all are sharin’ yer slang with yer loved ones. We sure need to keep some of the good stuff alive! So share yer slang! Share the origins of it! Most of the sayings we use are quite humorous! We all sure need a bit of that in our lives! Right?

Gatherings

Canadians from coast to coast are known for their friendliness,kindness, generosity and strong work ethics. We also gather together to celebrate most everything and anything. Many East Coasters have settled to the west and vice versa. We welcome all with open arms and lend a helping hand wherever possible. East Coasters are known for kitchen parties as its their best place to be gather; around that kitchen table. Well this online forum is an avenue for that. Its one big online kitchen party!

Sharin’ Canadian Slang

Slang has many influencers right across Canada. Words may have one meaning on the East Coast and have a completely different word or meaning on the West Coast. So lets share those words and connect our slang from coast to coast. Here a few very common slang words we all are familiar with. Please add to the list any old and new slang. Share your favorites. Lets see which province can collect the most slang sayings. Slang by Canadians is a pretty unique language we all love, know and talk! Lets talk some good ol’ slang!

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