Words for Things

On the way back from DC, my colleague was giving me some tips on what words to use in Canada.

“Garbage” instead of “trash,” for example. Apparently saying “trash” immediately marks you as non-Canadian. The word is used to describe people, like trailer trash, or getting really drunk. The word is used that way in the States too, but also to describe, well, garbage like empty take out food boxes and any number of things you throw away. In some places, in the US, they say “recycled.” Haven’t heard that up here.

I was also informed that you say “root” for route. I hadn’t realized how often I say it the other way. Will have to pay attention to that.

Steve Matthews, of Stem Legal tells me that “BBQ” refers to an event in Canada, not a type of food. It’s both in the States, and in the South, what kind of BBQ you make, where you’re from, is a source of pride. Texas, Tennessee, take their BBQ food very seriously.

In the States though, the event might be called a cook out instead of a BBQ.

Curious what other words for things are different up here.