Fancy a trip to the dairy?

11 terms from other English dialects that you might not know

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The term dialect is sometimes perceived as negative or derogatory when it is merely descriptive: It’s a particular form of a language tied to a certain region or a particular group of people, and can be understood by users of the same language, even if they speak a different dialect.

The English language has a multitude of dialects, all with unique traits, but all mutually intelligible… sometimes. While English speakers around the world can understand each other no matter their origin, certain words greatly differ from standard American English. Keep on reading so you can recognize these terms in future conversations.

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The Canadian dollar is the official currency of The Great White North, and loonie is the name given to the one-dollar coin. The name originated from the fact that most coins have the image of a common loon, a bird found throughout most of the Canadian territory. The term loonie is so widespread that the Canadian Royal Mint has secured the rights to it. When the two-dollar coin was introduced in the 90s, it was aptly nicknamed toonie, as in two loonies.

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Being tall is generally considered an attractive feature, but this is not what Nigerians are talking about when they call you long-leg. For them, someone with long-legs is someone well-connected who has an unfair advantage because of it, often being favored over those who really deserve the positions or recognitions.

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What would make you wag your chin for a long time? Obviously, a good chat! This is exactly what the English are referring to when they use the word chinwag, a long and pleasant conversation with friends. It is also used as a synonym for gossip, because we all know where those chit-chats are heading.

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Philippine English has an abundance of interesting terms, both derived from native languages and alternative uses of English words. High blood is an example of the latter: While it is used in a medical sense, it also means that someone is angry or agitated. If a Filipino tells you someone is ‘high blood’, it means this person has a short temper and is easily angered.

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Jamaican English is a colorful language, heavily marked by Patois —also called Patwa, an English-based creole with French, Spanish, and West African influences. The term pickney —from the Portuguese pequenino, very small— is commonly used to refer to a child. Fun fact: in Jamaican Patois, plurals are formed by adding the word ‘dem’, so children would be pickney dem.

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We challenge anyone to find a more Irish word than craic, they are not likely to succeed. Pronounced like ‘crack’, it is used in a multitude of ways, but it is mainly a descriptor of enjoyable times and experiences. Key phrases that use it are What's the craic? (What’s up?) and Any craic? (Any news or gossip?). Where does craic come from? In Middle English, crack meant ‘loud conversation’ or ‘news’.

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Many people fail to realize that, although Scottish people speak English on the regular, Scots is a language of its own, and many Scottish English words are of Scots origin. A good example is the term ken —to know, to be aware, to understand—, much more used than its English equivalents.

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If you hear a Kiwi person using the term dairy, you might think they are talking about milk products. You would be right about half of the time. While dairy is used in its standard sense, New Zealanders also use this word for a small convenience store where you can buy essential groceries, cigarettes, snacks, and yes, dairy products.

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Australia is known for being wild and interesting, and Australian English is no exception. The word bludger has a fascinating story: originally from the London slang ‘bludgeoner’ —someone who uses a stick to attack and rob—, it made its way to The Land Down Under, where it changed into bludger, someone who is lazy, avoids work and responsibilities, and relies on the efforts of others.

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Pick-up trucks (and trucks in general) are one of those things with a thousand names depending on the part of the world you find yourself in. For South Africans, it is a bakkie. From the Afrikaans bak, meaning ‘container’ or ‘bowl’, as a reference to the open cargo space in these vehicles.

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It is difficult to speak about Welsh English terms, not because they are not interesting (they are!), but because they might be difficult to pronounce for the average American (also, the amount of consonants commands respect). Our pick of the day is hanging —allegedly pronounced ‘angin’— used to express feeling sick, rough, and generally unwell, usually as a result of drinking and being hungover.

Deep roots

11 everyday words with indigenous roots

English is a very welcoming language in the sense that it incorporates terms from many other languages from all over the world. And, as it couldn’t be otherwise, Native American languages have lent many of their words and terms to English speakers. Some traveled through Spanish or French before settling into English, and others arrived directly through early contact and trade, helping shape the way we speak today. Did you know about these 11 terms?

The word "canoe" comes from the Taino term canoa, which was first used by Caribbean islanders long before Europeans arrived. Early explorers adopted it to describe the slim, sturdy boats they saw.

Over time, "canoe" became the standard English word for a small paddled craft. Today it still carries that sense of simplicity and closeness to nature.

The word "barbecue" comes from barbacoa, another Taino term for a wooden frame used for cooking meat over fire. Europeans adopted it and applied it to both the method and the gathering itself.

Today, "barbecue" means everything from a backyard cookout to a regional cooking style. Its origins highlight the deep culinary influence of Native Americans in the nation's current culture.

"Skunk" comes from the Algonquian word squnk, which means "urinating fox" (quite a fitting term, indeed). This was an obvious reference to the animal’s strong defensive spray. Early settlers adopted the term directly.

Since English had no better name for the creature, the Native word stuck. Today, the word skunks is also used as playful slang.

The word "moose" originates from Eastern Abenaki, a part of the Algonquian family, where it meant "he strips off bark." Yes, it described the animal’s habit of tearing bark from trees.

The name entered English quickly because settlers relied on Native knowledge of local fauna. The word remains unchanged because of its accuracy and usefulness.

"Raccoon" comes from the Powhatan word arakun, meaning "he scratches with his hands." It described the animal’s clever, humanlike front paws.

Settlers adopted the term because it captured the creature’s behavior beautifully. Today, the raccoon is used as a household symbol of curiosity, not unlike the animal itself.

The term "chipmunk" most probably comes from the Ojibwe word ajidamoo, which means "one who descends trees headfirst." Early English settlers adapted the sound into today’s form.

Though the spelling changed over time, the lively image of a chipmunk racing down a tree face-first stayed.

The word "caribou" comes from the Mi’kmaq term qalipu, which means "snow shoveler," referring to the animal’s habit of digging through snow for food.

French settlers brought the word into English, keeping its descriptive nature. The name still connects the modern animal to the winter landscapes it belongs to.

"Totem" comes from the Ojibwe word ototeman, which means "kinship group." It described symbols representing clans and shared roots.

English adopted it to describe carved poles and symbolic elements. Though broader in modern usage, it still hints at the original sense of community, identity, and heritage.

"Coyote" comes from the Nahuatl word coyōtl, which was used by Indigenous tribes of central Mexico. Spanish speakers adopted it, and English borrowed later.

The word kept its meaning, and it remains one of the most direct links between the English language and Nahuatl.

The tasty avocado’s name traces to the Nahuatl word ahacatl, which refers to the fruit and to a body part as well. Spanish speakers transformed it into aguacate.

Later on, English speakers adapted it to avocado. While the name sounds contemporary and culinary, it has ancient Native roots.

The last Nahuatl word and also the last word on the list comes from the term xocolātl, which describes a bitter cacao drink that was consumed long before Europeans arrived in America. The name traveled from Spanish to English.

Though the product changed dramatically, the word survived. Today, chocolate is a universal symbol of sweetness, with rich and deeply indigenous roots.