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Ten iconic Canadian animals to discover during your stay
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Top 20 expressions from Quebec

4 Comments
★★★★★ (5.0)
Posted on: 01/09/2023
 

Quebecers make use ofexpressions At the same time, they are funny and colorful, which can often be difficult to understand without a little explanation. That's the purpose of this article: to help you understand the conversations as best as possible.

Talking through one's hat

This is the translation of the English expression "talk through one's hat". This Quebec expression means that an individual speaks without knowing what they are talking about.

Parler à travers son chapeau

Image source Authentik Canada

To stumble on the carpet flowers

This expression means "to be held back by trivial details or minor difficulties." The verb "s'enfarger" means to stumble over something, to trip, or to lose one's balance. Here's an example that explains the meaning of this expression: the mayor of this town isn't getting bogged down in details; he gave the green light for the launch of his "flowering town" project.

Fasten your toque with a brooch

In Quebec colloquial language, "Tuque" means "winter hat" while "broche" means "wire." This expression can have a particular meaning, positive or negative, to warn or alert someone of something that is going to happen.

Spending the night on the clothesline

This expression means very little sleep or not sleep at all. Here's an example that clarifies its meaning: this man looked like he'd spent the night on a clothesline during his job interview; his hair was a mess and his tie was crooked.

La nuit sur la corde à linge

Pull yourself a log

At one point in their history, Quebecers didn't have enough furniture in their homes. So, they used logs instead of chairs. Using this expression invites someone to sit down; it's also another way of inviting them to chat.

It's raining cats and dogs standing up

In Quebec, people like to use metaphors when talking about the weather. This funny expression is used in the case of a thunderstorm or heavy downpour. Here's its meaning, full of humor: it's raining heavily, and you could drink while standing up and looking up at the sky. Here's a practical example that explains the meaning of this expression: Don't forget your umbrella, because it's raining cats and dogs.

Hammering nails

In Canada, people use this expression to describe someone who is drowsy while sitting. It implies that their head movements are similar to hammering nails. For example, someone who spent most of the day hammering nails in front of a computer would have been fighting off sleep all day.

Falling in love

This expression comes from the English translation "fall in love." One can fall in love with a song, a city… For example, he fell in love with Quebec City during his last trip to Canada. In French, this expression is the equivalent of falling in love or being suddenly in love.

To be fooled by a Christmas tree

Here are some meanings of this expression: to deceive, to be swindled, to dupe, to mislead. It comes from the balsam fir, which has a low market value due to its vulnerability over time, eventually cracking or drying out. In construction, for example, it's usually preferable to use wood like spruce or pine because it's a high-quality, durable wood. People don't want fir planks, hence the expression "to be swindled." My last car broke down shortly after I bought it. That salesman ripped me off.

To strike his Waterloo

This expression means to suffer a resounding failure. It is primarily of Anglo-Saxon origin. Indeed, it translates into English as "to meet one's Waterloo." For example, with this poor teaching method, it is the students who will meet their Waterloo.

To strike his Waterloo

This expression means to suffer a resounding failure. It is primarily of Anglo-Saxon origin. Indeed, it translates into English as "to meet one's Waterloo." For example, with this poor teaching method, it is the students who will meet their Waterloo.

The outhouse boss

The expression "the toilet boss" gives a glimpse of an abominable individual who abuses their authority, even if they only hold a job with a modest hierarchical role. For example, they get a small promotion and become the toilet boss.

Pull the blanket from its edge

This means seizing all the advantages or profits of a situation for oneself at the expense of others.

Shoveling clouds

The expression "shoveling clouds" means pursuing projects without regard for reality. In other words, it means engaging in an event without considering the constraints. For example, he's just shoveling clouds; he's losing touch with reality.

It's tiguidou

French Canadians usually use the term tiguidou to express their agreement. For example, if someone replies "Tiguidou" to you, they are expressing their agreement; tiguidou is similar to the term OK.

Fuck the dog

"Fucking the dog" simply means wasting one's time and effort on something, undertaking actions that don't lead to success, or struggling to fulfill an obligation. For example, this man wasted the dog all day trying to fix his car.

I have my trip

The expression "avoir son voyage" has no connection whatsoever with travel. It means "fed up" or "to be fed up."

Don't mess around with the puck

This is a purely Quebec expression to describe a hesitant individual who wastes their time, unlike a programmatic person who doesn't mess around.

Hare skins are falling

This expression is used during snowy weather in winter, specifically when large chunks of snow are falling. It describes a situation that can be embarrassing the first few times.

Give your 4 %

This expression is used in the workplace to dismiss someone. The number 4 % corresponds to the amount the employee will receive upon dismissal.

 
Posted in: Explore Canada

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  • Expressions québécoises
    By: Louise Boisvert Trommer On 01/02/2024
    Rating:
    ★★★★★ (5.0)

    1. Boss des bécosses. Il faut expliquer ce qu'est une bécosse. VOIR sur Google Images. Le mot vient de l'anglais "back house". C'était une petite toilette en bois contenant une planche trouée.
    Les gens avaient une bécosse qui n'avaient pas de plomberie intérieure, c'était assez dégueu. Donc "le boss des bécosses" est dérogatoire pour une personne qui se gonfle la tête pour très peu.

    2. Attache ta tuque avec de la broche s'utilise surtout quand c'est très venteux: il ne faudrait pas que la tuque s'envole !

  • Expressions québécoises
    By: Louise Boisvert Trommer On 01/02/2024
    Rating:
    ★★★★★ (5.0)

    1. Boss des bécosses. Il faut expliquer ce qu'est une bécosse. VOIR sur Google Images. Le mot vient de l'anglais "back house". C'était une petite toilette en bois contenant une planche trouée.
    Les gens avaient une bécosse qui n'avaient pas de plomberie intérieure, c'était assez dégueu. Donc "le boss des bécosses" est dérogatoire pour une personne qui se gonfle la tête pour très peu.

    2. Attache ta tuque avec de la broche s'utilise surtout quand c'est très venteux: il ne faudrait pas que la tuque s'envole !

  • Expressions québécoises
    By: Louise Boisvert Trommer On 01/02/2024
    Rating:
    ★★★★★ (5.0)

    1. Boss des bécosses. Il faut expliquer ce qu'est une bécosse. VOIR sur Google Images. Le mot vient de l'anglais "back house". C'était une petite toilette en bois contenant une planche trouée.
    Les gens avaient une bécosse qui n'avaient pas de plomberie intérieure, c'était assez dégueu. Donc "le boss des bécosses" est dérogatoire pour une personne qui se gonfle la tête pour très peu.

    2. Attache ta tuque avec de la broche s'utilise surtout quand c'est très venteux: il ne faudrait pas que la tuque s'envole !

  • Ferme ta boîte!
    By: Philippe On 10/09/2023
    Rating:
    ★★★★★ (5.0)

    Ce qu'on dit à quelqu'un pour qu'il se taise: "ferme donc ta boîte" !

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