Author Margaret Atwood wrote recently in Conde Nast Traveller UK that Newfoundland was her favourite island. She describes the island as “vigorous”, calling Newfoundlanders a “very funny people with their own traditional music and Newfoundland vocabulary”.
Camping at Leading Tickles/Photo Courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
In Newfoundland, a taxi driver might ask Where ya at? and then tell you he’ll be dere dreckley.
G’wan b’y! is sort of a friendly explicative which means No way, really?
B’y, ducky, me son, and m’love are terms you will hear all the time, tacked on to the end of most sentences, as terms of endearment. And if a Newfoundlander slaps you on the shoulder and says hello, me ol’ cock! don’t worry. This means you’re a pal, not a rooster…or worse.
Indeed, Newfoundland English is so unique that there is now a Newfoundland Dictionary– a fascinating read for linguists and travellers alike.
Rafting on the Exploits River/Photo Courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
One of the funniest parts about Newfoundland is her place names: cheerful monikers originating from English and Irish seafaring terms, back when dildoe was the part of a rowboat also known as a thole pin, and tickle was a thin inlet of water.
Blow Me Down/Photo Courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
But to the modern ear, some of the towns and inlets of in Newfoundland and Labrador sound downright dirty!
Tilting, Fogo Island/Photo Courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador
Below is a list of Newfoundland place names that will make you blush:
Black Tickle
Chimney Tickle
Leading Tickles
Tickle Cove
Tickle Harbour
Blow Me Down
Come by Chance
Comfort Cove
Conception Bay
Cupids
Happy Adventure/Photo Courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
And here are a few more:
Dildo
Exploits
Happy Adventure
Happy Valley
Heart’s Content
Heart’s Delight
Heart’s Desire
Little Heart’s Ease
Little Paradise
Man Point
Muddy Hole
Placentia
Tilting
Virgin Cove
Cupids, Spectacle Head/Photo: D. Minty/Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
If Newfoundland’s beautiful scenery combined with these cheerful, saucy place names don’t inspire you to adventure in Canada’s most easterly province, then perhaps you need to chill out!
But guess what? Newfoundland’s got that covered too!
Harp Shaped Iceberg Near Triton Island, Green Bay/Photo Courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
Like saucy place names? Saskatchewan is cheeky too!
