Today’s #AtoZChallenge was a no-brainer, although I had to be told by a friend that it was the perfect Canadian “E” word. Many of Canadians don’t think that we say the word “Eh?” enough for the [mostly] American stereotype to be true. That is, until your co-workers point it out every time you do.
In fact, “Eh?” is such a Canadian stereotype that it has it’s own Wikipedia page! In essence, “Eh?” is a tag used at the end of a sentence to indicate a subliminal request for an answer, comprehension or agreement.
“The weather is crazy here in Colorado, eh?”
You could replace “Eh?” with “Right?” or “Isn’t it?”, but “Eh?” just comes out so naturally. So naturally, in fact, that your American colleagues make it a past time to make fun of you whenever you say it. Because “Eh?” is so much weirder than “Ya’ll”.
Now that I think of it, I wonder if Bob and Doug McKenzie might be partially to blame for our excessive use of “Eh?” and for the rampant stereotyping of Canadians:
One of my American friends recently decided to tell me a hi-larious joke about how Canada got its name. The settler decided to put all the letters in a hat and pull them out one by one to spell the name of this new plentiful land across the Atlantic. They pulled them out read them to the settler writing the name down: “C, eh? N, eh? D, eh?” Sounds legit although I didn’t learn that in school (something about an anglicized version of “kanata”, an Iroquois word meaning “village” or “land” – but who knows…).
It’s easy to see how accent tags can spread and become so popular. The more people use them, the more others subconsciously start to use them as well. I’ve experienced this first hand here in Colorado. Since I’ve moved here, I’ve noticed that if you say “Sorry” to someone (another Canadian stereotype!) the response isn’t “That’s okay” or “No problem”; it’s “You’re fine”. It was the weirdest response, but now after 3 years in Colorado, I actually find myself saying it to others as well! I don’t even think about it and I can’t control it!
So, sure, “Eh?” is a Canadianism. We can’t deny it although we try to, but apparently the term is slowly being replaced by urban youth with other tags, such as “Right?” or “You know?”
I guess as an older generation Canadian (can’t believe I’m saying that), “Eh?” will stay in my vocabulary for a while…
I’m UK-based, so have only had limited contact with the Canadian accent, but I’m going to start listening a lot more closely to what my Canadian colleague at work says, and how she says it!
Good luck with the rest of the challenge, fellow A-to-Z-er!
Al from https://altheauthor.wordpress.com/
Uh oh! Maybe I’ve done a disservice to my fellow Canadians with this post!!
I know that I say it a lot.
When I was in Japan, I found that when I met Canadians we said it a lot more often–maybe we were trying to reassure ourselves, or claim our tribe.
Having taught students from all over the world, they all have something similar. The task become more interesting when they translate that into English. I’ve heard “no”, “ne” “right” “ya” and many other different variations.
And just for the record…It’s still feels like winter here, eh.
It still feels like winter, eh.
I wanted to edit, but I couldn’t. Please fix it for me and delete this post.
Thanks.
Ha! I can’t edit your post either. Weird. Is there a setting to change or is it a WordPress thing?
Sometimes I can do it. Other times not. I think if you go into the controls and look at the comments you can do stuff–but I’m not sure.
Loving the Challenge, by the way.
I have worked with lots of Canadians down here in Florida and we joke about “eh?” all the time. I’m from Wisconsin originally. I get teased too. You can’t win, we’re all from someplace, eh? @DietzShirley from I Just Have to Say
We sure are! Thanks for visiting!
I met a Canadian recently and while we were chatting during dinner, her side of the conversation was peppered with “eh?” and I just smiled because I missed hearing the “eh”s LOL Where I’m from, we don’t say “eh”, instead we say “lah”
Another variation: my husband and a friend of mine both say “Hey” instead of “Eh”!
eh? Great post!
Best Wishes,
Annette
My A2Z @ Annette’s Place | Follow Me On Twitter
In Norway in the 1980s I got used to their ‘ikke sant?’ and for some reason cannot forget it despite being English born and bred.
Early days of the #Challenge and here I am. I can’t wait to share your blog with a wonderful Episcopal Priest in NC who is a Canadian. If you have an interest in historic hotels and inns, join me for some arm chair travel.