It's a Fact, Eh? - Canada Day (07/01/08 - 50 Comments)
Today is Canada Day and I, like just about every other Canadian, am taking the day off from work. But it does give me a good opportunity to add a new article to the “It’s a Fact, Eh?” article archives. Every year on July 1, Canada pauses for one day to focus on our nation. Though often compared to America’s Independence Day, Canada Day celebrates something quite different. The day marks the anniversary of...
It's a Fact, Eh? - Victoria Day (05/19/08 - 9 Comments)
Today is the day that I and my fellow Canadians celebrate Victoria Day. It is a day in which we, at least in theory, commemorate the birthday of Queen Victoria (and Queen Elizabeth II, though I suspect most people are not aware that she piggybacks in her birthday as well). Most Canadians, I’m quite sure, do not know or care what the day commemorates, though they are happy enough to enjoy a day away from...
Canadian Identity - It's a Fact, Eh? (04/27/07 - 16 Comments)
This is the latest installment in my occasional series I call "It's a Fact." This series deals with peculiarities of Canada and its people. Previously I've discussed eh?, that little word that is so tiny but so integral to what it means to be Canadian. I've also looked at our two national anthems, other Canadian vocabulary and Canadian Thanksgiving. Today I want to discuss Canadian identity and what it means to be Canadian. This is...
A Canadian Thanksgiving (10/09/06 - 9 Comments)
Today is Thanksgiving Day here in Canada. Unlike our friends in America, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October. Where the American Thanksgiving has a storied history and ushers in the holiday season, we Canadians really have no idea why we celebrate this day that ushers in the Fall season. Thanksgiving comes when the leaves are entering the height of their glory and the air is just beginning to turn crisp. The last of the season's produce...
Canadianisms - It's a Fact, Eh? (08/26/05 - 0 Comments)
Today we will look at Canadian use of the English language. We have already looked extensively at that little word "eh?" so today we will turn to other words.
Canadians employ an eclectic mixture of British and American spellings. Consider the term "Tire Centre" - a place you might visit to buy new tires for a car. Consistency would dictate that we should refer to it as a Tyre Centre (using British spelling) or "Tire Center" (using American). Instead we strike the happy median, taking one word from each.
O Canada - It's A Fact, Eh? (08/17/05 - 0 Comments)
Canada may be unique as a nation that has two official national anthems. I was too lazy to do the legwork to find if there are any other nations with two, but I suspect there are not. To add to the strangeness, both of Canada's anthems are entitled "O Canada." Many people erroneously spell "O" as "Oh." In reality the "O" is used as a vocative to apostrophize Canada and rather than as an exclamation. But most people prefer it as an exclamation.
It's A Fact, Eh? (08/17/05 - 0 Comments)
"It's A Fact, Eh?" is a new occasional series I am beginning today. In this series I will introduce various interesting and factual aspects of Canadian life and culture (and yes, both exist in this nation).
"And the Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. And when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, "Let me go over," the men of Gilead said to him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" When he said, "No," they said to him, "Then say Shibboleth," and he said, "Sibboleth," for he could not pronounce it right. Then they seized him and slaughtered him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time 42,000 of the Ephraimites fell" (Judges 12:5-6).
