Canadian Sayings 2: 1000 Folk Sayings Used by Canadians

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Here’s a pocketful of 1000 quotes, quips, and smarmy toss-offs
Casselman didn’t include in his first collection, published in 1999.
Many are vulgar and definitely not politically correct. Some are
amusing. A few are priceless.

Casselman’s objective is to showcase and preserve “the folkways of
Canadian speech” (and to remind us just how earthy Canadians can be).
The sayings are grouped by subject: abuse, bodily faults, boredom,
distrust, family, liars, losing, sex, teeth, weather—240 categories to
help the reader track down the perfect insult or exaggeration. For the
more obtuse sayings, the author gives a short explanation, makes links
to other expressions, tosses in a little history, or indulges in his
passion for editorializing. The sprinkling of French sayings are
translated.

Casselman’s many works on words have been popular. Undoubtedly, this
collection will enjoy similar success at the cash register. But be
aware: vulgarity reigns.