WHY DO CANADIANS SAY "EH" ?

As a tour guide for bus groups and individuals from all corners of the world,  I get the most enjoyment with people that are first-timers to Canada.  The majority know relatively little about our country.  Often, they don't know who our prime minister is or the population of our country.  Eh,,,,even less know that we won the war of 1812.  Most don't even know that Canada had a war.  However, some markers are indelible to our image abroad.

If you ask a 70 year old their first impression Canada they will say "Anne Murray" and you say "EH"

If you ask a 50 year old their first impression of Canada they will say "socialized medicine" and you say "EH"

If you ask a 40 year old they will say "Celine Dion" , "loose marijuana laws" and you say "EH"

If you ask a 30 year old they will say "Pamela Sue Anderson", "Jim Carrey",  "SARS" and you say "EH"

If you ask a 20 year old they will say "Avril Lavigne", "winter olympics" and you say "EH"

If you ask a 12 year old they will say "Justin Bieber, EH??"




Good photo op, eh?


"EH" is the constant that defines us across generations and countries.  Sure, we have a reputation for being polite and over using the word 'thank you' but that pales to the impact that our use of the 100% Canadian word  "EH". 

For my international friends, let me extol the virtues of the word 'eh'. 

For Canadians, 'eh' is a short cut to almost any otherwise longwinded sentence.  "EH" can mean any number of diverse things such as:

• I don't like what you're presently doing or saying and I wish that you would stop it before I get angry.  This sentence can be summed up neatly in Canada by just saying "EH?"  in a crisp, questioning and monotone tone.
• I didn't quite hear everything that you just said.  Do you mind repeating that?  Thank you.  To shorten this burdensome request all you have to do in Canada is say "EH?" with the emphasis on the 'e' which sounds like a pleasant hard "A" sound, while letting the 'h' trail and fade into the background.  At the same time, you lift up your eyebrows in anticipation and everyone knows what you mean.
• I want everyone to pay attention and check out what is going on through my eyes but by the time I explain it, the moment will have passed.  In Canada you can make sure no one misses an experience by properly using the word 'eh'.  For instance, when we are driving up north to get to the cottage at 70 miles and hour and someone in the back seat spots a family of moose along the side of the road after dark, the word 'eh', when said in an agitated tone while quickly recognizing both sounds, assures that everyone will turn their heads and not miss the moose family. 
• Great job, my friend.  Hat's off to you!  Just say 'eh' while keeping the hard 'A' sound going in a paradoxically smooth but stuttering motion---like "E eeeEEEE eeEE H!  That will suffice.
• I have just spent the last hour spilling my deepest secrets to you and crying and I haven't let you get a word in edge wise.  Now I desperately need to hear your feed back to ascertain whether you are at all connected to my drama.  I have finally shut up and this is your 'in'.  I beg you to give me your take on things based on my take of things!  In Canada, we avoid this by just saying 'eh' in a casual voice after our confessional diatribes.  That is meant to give the other person free reign to respond and connect to us.
• "F---OFF, EH".  As in other countries, some Canadians like to use the 'f' word to quickly get their point across in an edgy and memorable manner.  Here in Canada you will often hear the dreaded "F" word being used in conjunction with the word 'eh'.  Really, either one could be used on their own to purvey the message and effect.  However, proponents of the 'f' word mentality of communication often like to double their effect by using both words together.
• I've been ignoring you for the whole evening and am just too busy to take time to talk to you but I don't want you to get the wrong idea and think that I didn't know you were here.  You just have to say "eh" once to the person in question while they are within earshot and you need not explain any further.
• Don't rope me into being the one to organize the peaceful protest.  It was only an idea, that's all!  I was hoping someone else would take that ball and go with it.  Saying "eh eh eh" multiple times in succession while holding up your hands with palms facing outward in a 'stop' gesture and waving them gently back and forth like the queen will let them know you are not going to head up any cause that you support.  Three 'ehs' in a row is the equivalent to saying that you just don't have time, you would rather just stay in the background or you are all talk and little action. 
• Canadians are totally awesome, are we not?  "Eh" followed by a high five will suffice.



EH!



On my tours,  I am always asked why Canadians say eh and what it means.  I consider it an honour to give this lowly 'butter knife' expression the credit it is due.

"It dices, it slices, it never needs sharpening and it will save you time and change your life"!

For all international groups that would like to earn their PHd in "EH" while being educated and entertained by great Canadian tour guides, find more information here at DiverCities Niagara Tours.

Local folks are encouraged to comment on the blog and share how 'EH' has changed their lives.