Canadian English Dictionary

It's a concept, a measure of cheer,
Not counted in time, or money, or beer.
When your weekends have zing,
And your workdays don't sting,
Then you’re winning at life, here here!

"It's a concept, a measure of cheer, Not counted in time, or money, or beer. When your weekends have zing, And your workdays don't sting, Then you’re winning at life, here here! One might say you have a good... First word: Q, blank, blank, blank, blank, blank, blank. Second word: blank, F. third Word L, blank, blank, blank. Can you guess our phrase of the week?"

Can you get this week’s #CEDPhraseOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

Pop quiz! What familiar phrase meaning “very fast” links Irene Cara’s song about an ambitious dancer, Queen’s anthem for a lightning-speed hero, Parliament’s funk command to "turn it on", and a Rolling Stones album named for a split-second in time?

"Pop quiz! What familiar phrase meaning “very fast” links Irene Cara’s song about an ambitious dancer, Queen’s anthem for a lightning-speed hero, Parliament’s funk command to "turn it on", and a Rolling Stones album named for a split-second in time? Can you guess our phrase of the week?"

Can you get this week’s #CEDPhraseOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

Other quilts were raffled off locally to support the war effort. An estimated 300 quilts still exist overseas and are now valued as cultural artifacts that document Canadian women’s underrecognized wartime labour, skills, and collective artistic expression.

Definition of quilt on a yellow background with a border of a geometric pattern.

Did you know? Canadian women produced an estimated 400,000 quilts during WWII (the number is likely higher, but Canadian Red Cross records are incomplete) to send overseas to comfort soldiers and British families displaced by bombing.

Can you figure out the puzzle and get this week’s #CEDWordOfTheWeek? Use all of the letters to get the word of the week, but comment what other words you can make as well!

Comment below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

it rhymes with note!

A banker, a writer, a clerk,
All use this word in their work.
Whether citing a line,
Putting prices on signs,
Or tracking a stock market quirk.

"A banker, a writer, a clerk, All use this word in their work. Whether citing a line, Putting prices on signs, Or tracking a stock market quirk. Can you guess the word?"

Can you get this week’s #CEDWordOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

Over time, many brand names have evolved into what we call genericized trademarks, where the brand name is used to reference the product itself, rather than the original manufacturer’s version.

North Words: There's a lot more to "Canadian English" than you might think Dr. Anastasia Riehl is among the leaders of an effort to craft the first new Canadian English dictionary in decades, an update that factors in a lot of complicated issues.

From the specific language of Wolfe Island to how climate change affects language, Anastasia shares her passion for and expertise in language and linguistics.

www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/5...

North Words: There's a lot more to "Canadian English" than you might think Dr. Anastasia Riehl is among the leaders of an effort to craft the first new Canadian English dictionary in decades, an update that factors in a lot of complicated issues.

The director of Queen's University's Strathy Language Unit, Dr. Anastasia Riehl, joined the hosts of NCPR's North Words to discuss the reason for and process of creating a Canadian English dictionary, and more.

www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/5...

"Facial tissue - Kleenex Clear Adhesive Tape - Scotch Tape Whipped Topping - Cool Whip Whirlpool/Jet Tub - Jacuzzi Lip Balm - ChapStick Cotton Swab - …? Using these examples, can you guess our word of the week?"

Can you get this week’s #CEDWordOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

Red Green, handyman from the north,
Made repairs with mainly one source.
With a roll silver-grey,
He’d just stick it and say,
“Problem solved!” (It's a stop-gap, of course.)

A poem: Red Green, handyman from the north, Made repairs with mainly one source. With a roll silver-grey, He’d just stick it and say, “Problem solved!” (It's a stop-gap, of course.) It’s a ... Can you guess the phrase? Q, blank, I, blank, blank, psace, blank, blank, X

Can you get this week’s #CEDPhraseOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

Smooth current hurries
Slick glass ripples skim the stones
Speed without tumult
(Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles)

Can you figure out the riddle and get this week’s #CEDWordOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

Let’s play a game! Swap the words in these band names for synonyms and get our word of the week. Follow these examples:

Arctic Monkeys > Polar Primates
The Rolling Stones > The Tumbling Rocks
Guns n Roses > Weapons n Flowers
No Doubt > …?

A rebus puzzle. First word: bed - D, plus pond - Y. Second word: a question mark.

Can you figure out the riddle and get this week’s #CEDPhraseOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

Definition of queasy on a white and black background. A green emoji who looks nauseous is in the bottom left corner.

Does being back at work after the holidays make you feel queasy? Don't worry, you aren't the only one.

This an important lesson to take into 2026. Creating an updated Canadian dictionary isn't about maplewashing (in the 2016 sense) our identity: it is about honestly reflecting how English has been and continues to be used in Canada—critically and with pride.

"Canadians can be, at once, critical and proud of our language," says Emma Ferrett in a recent CBC interview in which she discusses the 2025 Canadian Word of the year (CWOTY), maplewash.

Listen to Emma's interview here: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

Definition of quiet on a black background with white snowflakes.

All is calm and all is bright. From the Canadian English Dictionary to all of you, we hope you enjoy the holidays and get to spend some quiet time with those you care about.

Programming note: we will be taking a short break over the holidays, but will be back on your feed in January 2026!

Canadian Linguists Rise Up Against the Letter ‘S’

"Canadian English evolved here and represents a unique aspect of our culture," the letter said. "It is one of the practices woven through our everyday lives that make us Canadian."

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/w...

Is Canada 'maple washing' British spelling? - The Elias Makos Show | iHeart <p>John Chew, Canadian English Dictionary editor-in-chief, among signatories of the letter urging Mark Carney to scrap a federal move toward British spelling</p> <p>THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang</p>

Is Canada 'maple washing' British spelling? @canadiandictionary.bsky.social's John Chew joins @eliasmakos.bsky.social to explain:

Please continue to spread the word and help promote Canadian English.

Canadian English supporters urge Carney to abandon federal shift to British spelling Promoters of Canadian English say the federal government is sending the wrong message to the world with its recent use of British spelling in official documents.

You may not give a second glance to the use of "utilise" or "catalyse" in documents coming from our federal government. But Canadian spelling and Canadianisms make up our unique identity. Now is not the time to retreat from what makes Canada distinct. www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...

Definition of quoth on a white background with a silhouette of a raven.

Did you solve this week's riddle to get the #CEDWordOfTheWeek? As a reminder the clues were:

It’s a single-syllable word
It’s the past-tense form of an obsolete verb
It’s famously referenced in connection with a bird
It’s used in first person and the third

#Draftoriginal

A Riddle: " It’s a single-syllable word It’s the past-tense form of an obsolete verb It’s famously referenced in connection with a bird* It’s used in first person and the third *Bonus hint: It appears in a work of classic literature by Edgar Allan Poe Can you guess the word? Q, blank, blank, blank, blank."

Can you figure out the riddle and get this week’s #CEDWordOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.