Canadian English Dictionary

a quail!

Definition of quail on a white background. On the top left side is a red triangle and a graphic of a quail.

A cousin to the flashier pheasant,
I grunt and cackle, it's not unpleasant,
With patterned feathers, brown and pale,
I scurry low along the trail.
I vary in species, I'm hunted as game,
I'm a migratory bird -- what is my name?

Definition status: draft original

The Strathy Language Unit is part of the team creating a new Canadian English Dictionary.

How do you create a dictionary?? If you're curious, check out this series, "Anatomy of an Entry", where definer Emma Ferrett takes you on a journey of definitions, sharing the challenges, quirks and joys of describing the words of our language.

www.queensu.ca/strathy/intr...

A riddle: A cousin to the flashier pheasant, I grunt and cackle, it's not unpleasant, With patterned feathers, brown and pale, I scurry low along the trail. I vary in species, I'm hunted as game, I'm a migratory bird -- what is my name?

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

yes! (except we called it a quaking aspen!)

Definition status: draft original

Definition of quaking aspen on a white background. On the left side is a graphic of a tree.

I stand in groves trembling with grace,
My heart-shaped leaves all flutter in place,
Though rooted firm, I dance with air,
In each province and territory -- everywhere!
My name suggests I shake with fear —
But it’s the wind that draws me near.
What kind of tree am I?

A riddle: I stand in groves trembling with grace, My heart-shaped leaves all flutter in place, Though rooted firm, I dance with air, In each province and territory -- everywhere! My name suggests I shake with fear — But it’s the wind that draws me near. What kind of tree am I?

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

Definition of quake in one’s boots on a black background. In the bottom right corner is an avocado wearing boots who looks afraid.

When you're nervous, afraid, or unsure,
Your knees may go wobbly—there's no real cure.
What’s the phrase that describes this shaky pursuit,
When you're trembling deep down to the soles of your …?

[Hint: We’d finish the rhyme, but that would make it too easy!]

Definition status: draft original

A rebus puzzle: Snake, S=Q, N=U + in one’s + roots, R=B.

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

Definition status: draft original

Definition of quadruped on a white, grey, and red background. Graphics of animal prints in the bottom right corner.

🐾🐾The World Wildlife Fund lists our most iconic Canadian Quadrupeds: the beaver 🦫, the moose 🫎, the polar bear 🐻‍❄️, the lynx 🐱, and the caribou 🦌. Other recognizable quadrupeds native to Canada include the wood buffalo (bison) 🦬, deer 🦌, porcupine 🦔, skunk 🦨, wolf 🐺 and fox 🦊, otter 🦦, and more!

A word wheel puzzle with the following letters: P, E, U, D, U, D, A, R, Q.

#WordPuzzle Can you figure out this puzzle to get this week’s #CEDWordOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer!

Now with a language resource as unique as we are. #canadianenglishdictionary

When it comes to building a nation, language is key because it helps people connect and understand each other, like we're all part of the same big story. Our story is Canada: beautiful, bold, beset by challenges, bursting with potential.

A white maple leaf with the words "Celebrating Canadian English" inside. A background of falling red leaves.

Language is the soundtrack to a culture—it sets the vibe, tells the story, and brings people together. It’s how we pass down traditions, crack inside jokes, name our food (Poutine! Bannock! Jiggs Dinner!)—and share our point of view.

Black dog with a red and black plaid bandana lying on the ground surrounded by papers.

*sigh* a days work is never done.

Here Basil, our ambassador from the Strathy Language Unit at Queens, is working on archiving some word slips. Don’t worry Basil, summer vacation is almost here!

Definition status: draft original

Definition of quadruplet on a grey background with music notes in the background.

🎶A quadruplet in musical terms -- one hand plays 4 notes in the same time that the other hand plays 3 notes. This is called a polyrhythm! You can use a mnemonic to help you learn the pattern. 🥁 Try saying "What a load of rubbish," or “Pass the bread and butter,” along with the percussion.

A fill in the blank word quiz: Q, U, A, blank, R, blank, P, L, blank, blank.

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

Definition of quadrennium on a white background with a grey border.

Neither lustrum nor decade makes the mark,
Every leap? Now, that's my arc!
Olympians know my span by heart.
Four years pass, then we restart.

Definition status: draft original

A riddle: “Neither lustrum nor decade makes the mark, Every leap? Now, that's my arc! Olympians know my span by heart. Four years pass, then we restart.”

Can you solve the riddle to get this week’s word of the week? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

Double double. Not too sweet, not too bitter, but juuuuuust right. #Canadianism

Definition of quadraphonics on a white background with a black border. Graphics of speakers in all four corners.

Iconic British rock band, The Who, combined our word of the week with another word -- schizophrenia -- to come up with the name of their 1979 concept album and its corresponding film.

Definition status: draft original

A fill in the blacks word game: Q, U, A, blank, R, blank, P, H, blank, blank, blank, C, S.

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

Any other Canadians out there consider Victoria Day the unofficial, official start of summer?

“Happy Victoria Day From everyone at the Canadian English Dictionary” on a white background with a grey border and graphics of fireworks in the corners.

Celebrated on the second last Monday in May, this holiday is nicknamed May 2-4 to reference Queen Victoria’s actual birthdate. It also hints at the case of 24 beers – also called a 2-4 – often enjoyed at fireworks or camping trips on this long weekend.

The definition of cut to the quick on a white and grey background. Graphic of a red pair of scissors in the top right corner.

✂️ A manicure mishap. A pedicure peril. Or a slice to the soul? A verbal scalpel sharper than a Shakespearean insult!

Definition status: draft original

A rebus puzzle. Cue E=T. Bow B=T, -W. Tie I=H. Duck D=Q, +I.

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