‘Trudeaumania’ is among these Canadian-inspired words added to Oxford Dictionary

As humans evolve, so do our languages, meaning that every so often, dictionaries need to be updated.

In the past, notable additions to the Oxford Dictionary have been words like “muggle”, inspired by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, and ‘selfie’, inspired by the smartphone era’s obsession with front-facing cameras.

As of yesterday, the most distinguished dictionary in the world has introduced a host of expressions influenced by Canada, including one which reflects the obsession with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Have you ever used any of these terms?

• Trudeaumania: “Extreme enthusiasm for Pierre Trudeau (prime minister of Canada 1968–79 and 1980–4), especially during his 1968 election campaign and early years in office, or (more recently) his son Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada since 2015.”
• kitchen party: “(especially in Newfoundland and the Maritime Provinces) an informal social gathering with music and dancing, typically held in a person’s home.”
• booze can: “A bar or other drinking establishment that operates without an official permit.”
• bargoon: “A product or service bought or offered for sale much more cheaply than is usual or expected; a bargain.”
• stagette: “A hen or bachelorette party”
• May Long: “the three-day weekend resulting from the national observance of Victoria Day on the penultimate Monday in May.”
• spin-o-rama: “An evasive move consisting of an abrupt 360-degree turn, especially in order to score a goal.”
• humidex: “A measure indicating the level of discomfort the average person is thought to experience as a result of the combined effects of the temperature and humidity of the air.”
• bunny hug: “A hooded sweatshirt.”
• idiot string: “A string attached to a pair of gloves, glasses, etc. to prevent them from being lost.”
• Muskoka chair: “An armchair for outdoor use constructed from wide wooden slats and typically having a seat that slants downwards towards the sloping back.”
• crokinole: “A board game played mainly in Canada, in which players take turns flicking small discs across a circular playing surface with the aim of displacing opponents’ pieces and landing in the higher-scoring central sections.”
• cottage roll: “Pickled, boneless ham prepared from pork shoulder.”
• donair: “An item of food consisting of slices of spiced meat (typically beef) cooked on a spit and served in pitta bread together with tomatoes, onions, and a sweet sauce.”
• have province: “A province whose per capita tax revenue exceeds a national average and therefore does not receive equalization payments from the federal government.”
• have-not province: “A province whose per capita tax revenue falls below a national average and is therefore entitled to receive equalization payments from the federal government.”
• Sally Ann: “The Salvation Army”
• gong show: “A situation or event marked by chaos and incompetence.”
•  fuddle duddle: “Used euphemistically in place of an expletive.”