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Canadian English Dictionary

@canadiandictionary.bsky.social

510 followers 13 following 190 posts

Canada's first new general English dictionary in two decades. Developed by a not-for-profit consortium including Editors Canada, the UBC Canadian English Lab, and the Strathy Language Unit at Queen’s University. https://linktr.ee/canadianenglishdictionary

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Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 2d

Can you figure out the riddle and get this week’s #CEDWordOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

The following riddle: "In the 80s, a book said "real men" don't eat it. But it's brunch! Just take an egg and beat it! Toss the trope, release the yolk, it's pie with cheese and chives -- no joke. What food are we talking about?"

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Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 4d

We are taught that if it quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck. But is a quack — a person who fraudulently practises medicine — a duck? Or should said quack have a separate dictionary entry from the signifying sound? Just to be safe, if you find your doctor quacking, check for feathers.

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 4d

There are certain words that scream Canadian. You may be thinking "touque" or "Timbit." In her latest post for "Anatomy of a Entry," Emma Ferrett makes the case for quill pig (or quilly pig) as a true Canadianism. What makes a Canadianism? Find out here: www.queensu.ca/strathy/quil...

Quill Pig | Strathy Language Unit

Author: Emma Ferrett Date: September 18, 2025

www.queensu.ca

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Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 9d

Truth and Reconciliation represents a way forward through shared responsibility, where we, as Canadians, commit to listening, learning, and working together with Indigenous Peoples to create a future that is rooted in respect and leads to meaningful change. [3/3]

#NDTR #TruthAndReconciliation

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Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 9d

In Canada, the phrase "Truth and Reconciliation" has become a solemn reminder of the generational trauma endured by Indigenous Peoples—the painful legacy of the residential school system, and the deep scars left by centuries of colonialism, marginalization, and systemic racism. [2/3]

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Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 9d

Truth and Reconciliation are more than words to be defined by a dictionary. [1/3]

Text "National Day for Truth and Reconciliation September 30th" on an orange background.

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Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 14d

In a contest where stakes are higher,
Each heat weeds out who'll expire.
The swift and the keen
Fight to stay on the scene,
For each round is a qualifier.

Definition of qualifiers on a white background. Silhouettes of three people running across the bottom.

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 16d

Can you figure out the riddle and get this week’s #CEDWordOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

A riddle: Complete the rhyme to guess our Word of the Week!

In a contest where stakes are higher,
Each heat weeds out who'll expire.
The swift and the keen
Fight to stay on the scene,
For each round is a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 21d

What else would you add to this list?

Definition status: draft original

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Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 21d

Our Word of the Week can be used to describe things like:
Handwritten letters
Rotary-dial telephones or having a “home” phone
Burning CDs for your friends
Asking for directions instead of consulting GPS
Having film photos developed
Address books
Using an MP3 player that isn’t your phone

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 21d

Over time, certain objects, tools, traditions, and so on, become obsolete or fall out of favour due to the relentless steamroller of technology. These things are thought of as “old-fashioned,” or “charming,” even.

Definition of quaint on a yellow, black, and white background with a graphic of a radio in the bottom right.

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Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 23d

Can you figure out the puzzle and get this week’s #CEDWordOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

A word wheel puzzle. Use all of the letters to get this week's word of the week: Q, I, U, N, A, T.

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 28d

Definition Status: draft original

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · 28d

There are 4 shields when we use words to fight:
First is Consent: both sides saw it right.
Second's Fair Comment: it's opinion, not lie.
Third's Justification: truth none can deny.
Then there's Qualified Privilege, for duty-bound speech—
In Canadian law schools, it's what they teach!

Definition of qualified privilege on a black background with a white border.

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · Sep 9

#GuessTheTerm Can you figure out this puzzle to get this week’s #CEDTermOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

A Guess the Term puzzle. First word: blank, U, A, blank, I, blank, I, blank, D. Second word: P, blank, I, V, blank, blank, blank, G, E.

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · Sep 4

What is the name of the 1996 video game that introduced online multiplayer deathmatches and spawned a popular franchise? _ _ _ _ _

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · Sep 4

Dutch DJ, Armin Van Buuren, collaborated with W&W on the 2013 high-energy electronic track titled: _ _ _ _ _

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · Sep 4

Japanese author, Haruki Murakami, wrote a collection of stories inspired by the 1995 Kobe disaster. The book was called: After the _ _ _ _ _

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · Sep 4

Many clues, but only one answer. Check out this thread for a series of clues that all lead to one answer: our word of the week!

Introduced in Secret War #2 (2004), Daisy Johnson is a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with the ability to generate powerful vibrations. She’s also known by her codename: _ _ _ _ _

Definition of quake on a black background.

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Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · Sep 2

Can you figure out the clues and get this week’s #CEDWordOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

The following text on a white background with a read border: "4 Clues – Guess the answer to any of these questions and you’ve guessed our Word of the Week!

Introduced in Secret War #2 (2004), Daisy Johnson is a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with the ability to generate powerful vibrations. She’s also known by her codename: _ _ _ _ _

Japanese author, Haruki Murakami, wrote a collection of stories inspired by the 1995 Kobe disaster. The book was called: After the _ _ _ _ _

Dutch DJ, Armin Van Buuren, collaborated with W&W on the 2013 high-energy electronic track titled: _ _ _ _ _

What is the name of the 1996 video game that introduced online multiplayer deathmatches and spawned a popular franchise? _ _ _ _ _ "

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · Aug 28

Definition status: draft original

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · Aug 28

In ’89 they reached our land,
Near Port Colborne, in the sand.
Lake Erie saw the first new trace –
Bivalve molluscs from a far off place.

Think they're a meal? Please beware:
There are pollutants hidden in there!
Many toxins in their tiny frame,
Don't eat them! It's a risky game.

Definition of quagga mussel on a white background with a red border. A graphic of mussels in the top left corner.

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Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · Aug 26

Can you figure out the riddle and get this week’s #CEDWordOfTheWeek? Comment your guess below and check Wednesday’s post for the answer.

"In ’89 they reached our land,
Near Port Colborne, in the sand.
Lake Erie saw the first new trace –
Bivalve molluscs from a far off place.
Think they're a meal? Please beware:
There are pollutants hidden in there!
Many toxins in their tiny frame,
Don't eat them! It's a risky game.
What am I"

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · Aug 23

Defining words is a art: definers, like translators, must consider cultural values and intended audience when choosing what details to include or omit. This is why there is no universal English dictionary.
www.queensu.ca/strathy/quee...

Queen Bee: Anatomy of an Entry | Strathy Language Unit

Author: Emma Ferrett Date: August 19, 2025 queen bee, n

www.queensu.ca

Canadian English Dictionary @canadiandictionary.bsky.social · Aug 23

In the latest "Anatomy of an Entry," Emma Ferrett breaks down how different dictionaries define "queen bee" to highlight what lexicographers prioritize.
www.queensu.ca/strathy/quee...

Queen Bee: Anatomy of an Entry | Strathy Language Unit

Author: Emma Ferrett Date: August 19, 2025 queen bee, n

www.queensu.ca

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