The Canuck Finally Blogs… |

The Canuck Finally Blogs…

Published by Becky June 20th, 2007 in General

Well here I sit finally getting to blogging after many nice kicks in the butt from Jules! What is coming to mind is, It has been 8 months since my last blog and these are my sins! But then I thought, first let me google the word Canuck. This is a word that is commonly used in Canada when we are affectionately referring to ourselves, or our neighbours to the south are nicely poking fun at us. I have used it for years and it occurred to me that I really had never thought about where the word came from or what it actually means. Anyways, once I found this google definition of the word ‘Canuck’ I thought I just had to share it with you. I was amazed at how much fun this guy is having looking up the meaning of words and what a great sense of humour he has. So here is what I found:

Dear Word Detective: A little while ago a friend and I were talking about hockey and started to speculate about the origins of the word “Canuck.” Well, maybe “speculate” is the wrong word, since the “speculative” conversation went something like, “I dunno” (shrugs shoulders). Anyway, since then I have been trying to figure it out and the closest explanation I can find is that it may have originated from the word “Canadian.” Is this so? — M.K. Shaeffer, Ohio.

You and your friend shouldn’t sell yourselves short. If you were to wander into my study on an average day and ask me about the origin of “canuck,” I, too, would almost certainly shrug my shoulders and grunt, “I dunno.” Then I would ask you how you got past the 19 locks on my door. Then, being a New Yorker, I would mug you.

Just kidding. I haven’t mugged anyone in years. Besides, the whole scenario wouldn’t work because, while you have been fantasizing about breaking into my apartment, I have been looking up “Canuck” and now know the answer. I actually know several answers, so even if I did mug you, you’d be getting your money’s worth. The simplest and most popular theory seems to be the one you came up with, that “Canuck” is simply a shortened form of “Canadian”.

However, according to “Unkind Words,” a fascinating book on ethnic labeling by Irving Lewis Allen, “Canuck” isn’t really that simple. First of all, it seems that French-speaking Canadians living in or near the northeastern U.S. consider “Canuck” to be an offensive ethnic slur. But in the rest of Canada, “Canuck” is a label of national pride, as evidenced by the name of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team. Go figure.

As to the origin of “Canuck,” Allen reports that it may have arisen as a blending of “Canadian” and the Inuit (Eskimo) word “inuk,” meaning “man.” There’s also the possibility that it came from Hawaiian, brought over by laborers imported to colonial Canada, but that seems a bit of a stretch to me. So there you have it, and good luck getting out past the cats. The big orange one mugged me last week.

So there you have it, an interesting piece of something from the other side of the world from this very homesick Canuck.

P.S. In another 8 months I will come back on and blog what I was going to originally blog about!

14 Responses to “The Canuck Finally Blogs…”

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1 Carin Jun 20th, 2007 at 10:01 am

Love it! The ‘Word Detective’ is really funny!
2 yojules Jun 20th, 2007 at 10:39 am

Welcome abourd the blogosphere! This change management process of beating my Avo’s into blogsubmission can be quite exhausting, but rewarding too: you made me laugh today!

Please blog agin befor 8 months - would be so sad to have to wait that long to laugh again!
3 Hanli Buber Jun 20th, 2007 at 11:06 am

If Becky the Canuck feels lonesome and homesick, she must just come for canoodling with any of the what we affectionately refer to as “souties”, “rocks”, “darkies”, “porras” and “curriemunchers” that comprise her new family. (Or just count the sleeps ’till you get on the ‘plane!)
4 nomsa Jun 20th, 2007 at 11:42 am

Well done Beckter! interesting blog. If you are feeling homesick, we can creat a canadian theme party as Avos, and we can even have fake snow from the spare paper in the office.You can tell us what else you do in Canada, Just a thought!
5 Julia Jun 20th, 2007 at 1:41 pm

Interesting piece of trivia.

We too are looking forward to your return to the land of the “Canucks” especially the PARTY!!!!

Say hi to your sweetie and see you soon.

Love from your canuck cousin-in-law
6 Julia Jun 20th, 2007 at 1:43 pm

Some homework.

What is the inuit word for woman. Maybe we can create a new Canadian word!!!!
7 Laurie Elliott Leach Jun 20th, 2007 at 6:07 pm

Wow!! I never knew there was such meaning behind the word “Canuck”!! Interesting!! Sadly Becky I don’t think I will be in Ontario when you come home. Do you know exactly the dates you be visiting?? I also believe congratulations are in order???? (I think anyways?)

Canucks forever!!!!

Love Laurie!
8 Cathy Little Jun 20th, 2007 at 10:10 pm

Hi Beck

Great to hear from you!! Always good to gain new knowledge.
We miss you here too can’t wait to see you at the end of July.
See you soon
Love Cathy
9 Nancy-Jo Jun 21st, 2007 at 2:57 am

Hey Beckster,

Can’t wait to see you on the 22nd!

Love ya! xoxo
10 Jules Jun 21st, 2007 at 8:00 pm

I always think its so cool how the blogspace becomes a connection moment for people all over the world. Becks, if you blogged more, your friends would come play with you in cyberspace more, and you’d feel less (or more, I suspect) homesick!

SO cool to see all you ‘old friends’ from the perspective of her ‘new friends’. Clearly Becks is a girl who shall have friendships wherever she goes!!!
11 jeanette Jun 21st, 2007 at 10:19 pm

Hey Beckster

My canuck (Canadian bear croc trinket) is sitting firmly in a place of honour on my right croc - thanks for that!!

We are so privileged to have you on board. Looking forward to some good times ahead and a good couple of beers!
12 Merg Jun 23rd, 2007 at 4:01 am

hmmm, there are certainly “ways” of bringing the “northeastern” Canada to life in S.A. that I could share with the new amigos
Has Becky shared the leisurely Canadian pass time of century club with the S.A. folks ?

Although I am originally from the land of the Canucks; I still prefer the Canadiens eh.

Sure this rambling made about as much sense as someone’s 1st day in TOEFL class.

Come a long way Posterchild who hailed from a bog and I was the F.O.B who encroached on your peaceful existence…

Guacamole anyone?
13 Tracy Scott Jun 25th, 2007 at 5:34 pm

Hey Becks

Just to say how very fortunate we are to have you on board as an avo! We love your sparkle, your mischevious nature and your ability to embrace life. You are also darn professional and super talented: looking forward to learning lots from you.
Tracy
14 Elaine Jun 27th, 2007 at 7:37 pm

Sherbert your funny

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