That "Word" EVERYONE Thinks we all Say! ARGH!!!!!!!

[raphael7546 0]

You know the one I'm talking about! I dunno if its even an actual word but EVERYBODY teases me about it. If I meet someone new that finds out I'm Canadian, the first thing out of their mouth is" Oh your Canadian "EH" " Geez!!! Then after that, every single thing they say they end with "EH" so that I may understand them better.

I don't nor have I ever said "EH" after anysentence and I'm not about to start!

What is with people here in the states thinking we all say "EH" at the end of every sentence?

In fact living in Vancouver I never once heard any of my family or friends say it!

This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine.

There's this one guy that I work with. He works out of one of our other offices but works from ours twice a month. Everytime he calls and I answer the phone he starts singing "Oh Canada" Then when he comes in the office he tells everyone to make sure they're saying "EH" after eaqch sentence so the "Canadian" in the room can understand! SIGHS!

Anyone else have this problem ?!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Doesn't bother me. I have been all throughout Canada with the Armed Forces, and I know many do use the word "eh" Might be a bit more pronounced in the prairies though. One word my USA relatives state al the times is aboot!! Sort of like how they said "about" on Fargo!! But I agree its funny when someone brings it up, but just get a bit annoying when they keep bringing it up over and over. lol

[raymaga 25]

Hi Lily:

Yep, I know what you are talking about.... I get the same thing all the time.

The funny part is, we tried to pay attention to whether I say "eh" or not, and it turns out..... I do sometimes. I never thought I did, but it has become quite apparent that I do. Hate to admit it!!!!

Hope things are all good with you and yours.

Rayma

[payxibka 10,045]

I can understand the frustration with it as the standard stereotype for all of Canada and while it may not be apparent in western Canada or eastern Canada for that matter... the provinces in the middle to the north of Minnesota it is quite alive...

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Well, it's a two way street, when I first went to Canada to meet Craig's family, everyone thought I had to be a total hick with a Southern accent. A completely Republican who supported Bush in everything he did. I'd take people thinking I say "Eh?" after every sentence anyday over people assuming I'm a Republican!

Cass (bebop the great)

[DeadPoolX 9]

You know the one I'm talking about! I dunno if its even an actual word but EVERYBODY teases me about it. If I meet someone new that finds out I'm Canadian, the first thing out of their mouth is" Oh your Canadian "EH" " Geez!!! Then after that, every single thing they say they end with "EH" so that I may understand them better.

I don't nor have I ever said "EH" after anysentence and I'm not about to start!

What is with people here in the states thinking we all say "EH" at the end of every sentence?

In fact living in Vancouver I never once heard any of my family or friends say it!

This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine.

Heh. Well, my fiancee DOES say "eh" sometimes but it's usually instead of saying "huh" like I would do (which is obviously much more common in the U.S.). I think Hollywood is mainly to blame for the whole thing. Hollywood thrives on stereotypes. I could go into a whole tirade about how Hollywood has made it so tons of people (both inside and out of the U.S.) believe Texas is all desert, cacti, and cowboys riding on horses shooting eachother in the "Old West." In reality, it's nothing of the sort, but don't let reality get in the way of what people want to believe...

[Emancipation 2]

I find that i say "eh" when others are saying it. I haven't heard myself say it it since I got here in the US (at least that's what I THINK), but in church yesterday the Pastor say "aaaah-men".. and I am following along going "eeeh-men".. i laughed at that one!! We even get "eh" in on our prayers! tee hee..

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

It's funny, when talking to me, Craig hardly ever says it. I actually probably say it more. BUT when I go up and visit his family and he is talking to his brothers or something, it is RAMPANT. "Eh?" "Eh?" Eh?" It's like a secret language, they can communicate with just that word and nothing else.

Cass (bebop the great)

[Carlawarla 1]

I didn't think I said it as well. Until one day, I asked Gene to let me know if I DID say it. Actually I say it quite often. I didn't realize it at all. It just comes naturally I guess. Frankly if that's a part of me that people identify as Canadian, and like it? Cool! I think it identifies me as Canadian as well, and that's a GOOD THING!

I love diversity, and this is mine! Canadians also are funny in that on one hand we can laugh at ourselves and at the opposite end we take ourselves far too seriously!

Carla

Edited February 12, 2007 by cartoboy123

[Kathryn41 3,205]

yeah, I say it every now and again, but it is instead of the US 'huh'?. My coworkers tease me about it every now and then but it is a good natured teasing and certainly not over the top. I don't think it is so much that Canadians say it a lot - it is that most Americans don't say it at all so it strikes their ear as unusual. The response to unkind or overboard teasing for 'eh' is to return the favour with 'huh' ie "well, at least I don't say 'huh'? with my mouth hanging open like it is catchin' flies"! and give a quick shuddder. Or you could just ignore them and walk away:-).

Edited February 12, 2007 by Kathryn41

[warlord 72]

Yep that's definatly a phrase I have never used at all either. My parents and family and friends in Canada say it thought, my friends are the worst. I've just never thought it neccessary to use it, I never got why it was said anyways. So I probably grew up being the outcast because of that ha ha.

Anyways, I get more people asking me if it's really said a lot up there rather then saying it to me. I remember when I first came here I got teased a bit and people would say that, which after awhile got annoying, but when people find out I've been here for 10 years, they don't even tease anymore.

I've always been told by Canadians and Americans that I have an American accent even when I lived in Canada, so most people here don't have a clue until I tell them I'm still oficially a Canadian, many really don't believe it either which is funny...

[CutienPurg 0]

The Meaning of Eh!

It is quite obvious that some people are having a tough time understanding Canadians, so the following will run through a very brief translation of the Canadian 'dialect' and hopefully ease some minds out there.

EH = pronounced AY (similar, but not the same as huh)

Eh is a useful word that is very important and is the basis of all Canadian communications. It is used in conjunction with other words, or simply by itself. The tone or the slight differences in exclamation also changes the meaning:-

Eh? = what did you say?

Eh? = what do you think?

EH? = something to say just to end a sentence.

Ehhhh!! = WOW!!

EH!? = what do you mean?

Eh?? = your joking!!!??

EH!! = Hello..(you off in the distance!!!)

Eh? want a doughnut or some Tim Bits?

Eh! = sure!!

Eh!Eh! = coffee double-cream too please!

Eh? = what you say when you realize you have no money to pay for it.

Eh..cmon, eh? = asking them to let you pay for it next time.

hey..eh! = want to go to the drive-in movie??

Eh...uhuh = yes sure!

Eh..y'know = I'll pick you up at 8:00 (8:30 in Newfoundland).

Eh..cmon!! = well that's early..but ok.

Eh..wanna? eh? = lets fool around ...

EHHHHHHH = sounds coming from the car.

hey..um..er eh... = I'm pregnant!

EH????????? = how did that happen?

EHHehhEHHehhEHHH = sounds from the delivery room.

EHHH-ehh, EHHH-ehh = baby's first cry.

Ehh..whadya think eh? = marry me.

[cdngrl 0]

oh good grief, I grew up in Windsor, Ontario (in Detroit, Michigan's shadow) and I say "eh" like it's nobody's business. the funny thing is that when i visit Utah (my future home if I ever get my damn consulate appn't), utahns often think i'm from North Dakota or Minnesota as oppose to Canada when i slip out a couple "eh's".

eh = the most utilitary word in the Canadian language.

[Cassie 8]

I hate that one too, I have never said 'eh", my family doesn't say it either. But I roll my eyes in jest when a friend of mine says it to me, can't take it too personal.

[CutienPurg 0]

when I was living in Canada and I would come home to visit , I would invariably be met with the standard " how's Canada EH?"

I'd smile and say " yeah that'd be funny if it was the 1st time I'd heard it" or " Oh I'll bet you think you're clever with that one EH".

I actually say "eh" more than my husband and always have. I've often suggested it was from growing up on the St Clair River .......a stone's throw from Canada........and blamed it on the water. No one seemed to noticed me saying it until I got involved with " the Canadian".