Article | Destinations
Yes, b’y! A Guide to Newfoundland English
By Tony Oxford | December 07, 2021
Related expedition: Newfoundland Circumnavigation and Greenland & Wild Labrador: A Torngat Mountains Adventure

©Victoria Polsoni
Article | Destinations
By Tony Oxford | December 07, 2021
Related expedition: Newfoundland Circumnavigation and Greenland & Wild Labrador: A Torngat Mountains Adventure
©Victoria Polsoni
Used as a greeting similar to “What are you up to?” or “How’s it going?”
Used in response to “Whaddayat?” to mean “Not a whole lot” or “Just fine.”
Used to inquire as to where someone was raised. Alternatively, "Where you from?"
A greeting to ask “How are you?” or “How’s it going?”
Used in response to “How ya gettin’ on?” to mean “Great” or “Couldn’t be better.”
Used to remark upon someone’s body size. Antonym: "He’s sure handy with a fork and knife."
Used to ask about someone’s family heritage or who their parents are; also a derogatory reference alleging insufficient qualities to have been born. For the latter case, alternatively, “Who knit ya at’ll? Whoever it was dropped a stitch.”
Used to describe an unsuccessful undertaking.
An important life lesson, used to remind the listener that one must suffer the consequences of inappropriate actions.
A mischievous person.
Dusk, between sunset and nighttime. The last light of the day.
Shortly, right away, very soon.
Similar to the term very, used to describe how much something is. For example, "right cold" is colder than "some cold."
Cloudy, foggy, drizzly.
An ember from a fire.
Ice particles in the ocean.
Coniferous tree growth, stunted and deformed by strong winds and sea spray.
Hot, beautiful, sunny weather. A perfect summer's day.
The Adam’s apple of a man’s throat.
A loss of sensation in the backside from sitting too long, as in “My arse is dunch!”
To wander aimlessly with no clear sense of direction.
A dance and a meal
Everyone who’s not a Newfoundlander is called a come from away, sometimes shortened to CFA.
Brand new; the Kyle was a vessel which distributed goods to remote Newfoundland and Labrador outports.
Used as an agreement or an enthusiastic endorsement.
You’re hilarious!
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