Thread: Canada eh!

There's a hidden message behind that phrase. What is it?
Yesterday Canada’s fans on Canada vs Russia hockey match wore hats bearing that phrase.

Тоже вчера заинтересовало. =)

Originally Posted by alexB

There's a hidden message behind that phrase. What is it?
Yesterday Canada’s fans on Canada vs Russia hockey match wore hats bearing that phrase.

I think the only reason is because "eh!" is considered a typical canadianism.

"eh" is used by Canadians for a number of reasons. It is not the same as "no?" like Italians use at the end a sentence to mean yes.

However, in this case it could be one of two reasons... Canada's national team is sometimes referred to as "Eh? team" or it could be that they are stating like "Canada, eh!" (Canada, yeah were here at the playoffs.)

Hey, Captials play tonight...game 6!!!

Here is a little video I found about the use of eh? If you can't watch it, let me now and I'll put it up via another source.
[video:3f56g2xd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79T_Honhewc[/video:3f56g2xd]

Originally Posted by Crocodile

I think the only reason is because "eh!" is considered a typical canadianism.

One which I think is quite overstated. I know some Canadians say "eh?" enough to be noticeable, but it's mostly just a stereotype, IMO. I've spent some time in Canada (Vancouver) on business, and I remember thinking, during my first trip, "Hey, nobody is saying 'eh'! That's weird."

Croc, is the Russian use of "a?" at the end of sentences similar in meaning to the Canadian "eh?"

Originally Posted by Matroskin Kot

Croc, is the Russian use of "a?" at the end of sentences similar in meaning to the Canadian "eh?"

Yes, I think you're right.

Alright, I guess I wasn't accurate with my previous answer. After having heard "eh?" for two times already, I realized Russian "a?" and Canadian "eh?" are used in different ways.

Russian "a?" is more of a "would you?" added to soften the request between two close persons, as in:

Сбегай за бутылкой, а?

Another (secondary usage) is "isn't it" used to strengthen the statement converting it to a rhetoric question:

Не понравилось, а?

On the other hand, Canadians say "eh?" all over the place trying to be informal. For example:

That ice-cream is nice, eh? (=> isn't it?)
Do you like that ice-cream, eh? (=> that ice-cream is good)
I like that ice-cream, eh? (=> do I not?)
How are you doing, eh? (=> I can see you're doing good.)
Can you grab a beer for me, eh? (=> please)

So, in some sense, Russian "a?" and Canadian "eh?" have overlapping meanings, but they aren't identical.

Россия-то, а?!

Originally Posted by Crocodile

Alright, I guess I wasn't accurate with my previous answer. After having heard "eh?" for two times already, I realized Russian "a?" and Canadian "eh?" are used in different ways.

Russian "a?" is more of a "would you?" added to soften the request between two close persons, as in:

Сбегай за бутылкой, а?

Another (secondary usage) is "isn't it" used to strengthen the statement converting it to a rhetoric question:

Не понравилось, а?

On the other hand, Canadians say "eh?" all over the place trying to be informal. For example:

That ice-cream is nice, eh? (=> isn't it?)
Do you like that ice-cream, eh? (=> that ice-cream is good)
I like that ice-cream, eh? (=> do I not?)
How are you doing, eh? (=> I can see you're doing good.)
Can you grab a beer for me, eh? (=> please)

So, in some sense, Russian "a?" and Canadian "eh?" have overlapping meanings, but they aren't identical.

They also use it as to make certain a person is following along in the conversation such as...

So, you take the road 'til you see the big blue house eh? (pause to make certain the person is listening and understands, then continue on with the conversation) and then you make a left turn and keep going 'til you reach a stop sign eh? (pause again) Then turn right....

Originally Posted by Crocodile

So, in some sense, Russian "a?" and Canadian "eh?" have overlapping meanings, but they aren't identical.

Nicely explained, thanks!

Of course, there's also the American "huh":

Huh? (rising intonation) = I didn't understand. Can you repeat that, or explain further?

Huh. (falling intonation) = That was unexpected, now what?

..., huh? (rising intonation, at the end of a statement) = ..., don't you agree?

[Strong request/demand], huh? = I can't believe I have to tell you (again).

[Polite request], huh? = ..., if you wouldn't mind.

Probably more, but that's all I can think of right now.

Originally Posted by rockzmom

"Hey, Captials play tonight...game 6!!!

I'll be watching! GO CAPS!

i've been all over canada and in Alberta they use it waaaay to much. in other places, we don't use it as much, but i notice my self saying it almost every day. in ontario and BC they use it the least. anyways, that video gave a really good explanation!

I am in Alberta myself and I have never heard "eh?" in my life apart from Canadian television and a few American friends who thought they were being funny.