Kardinal Offishall is a Canadian rapper and record producer. Often credited as Canada’s “hip hop ambassador”, he is considered one of the country’s best hip hop producers, and is best known for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip hop. In “BaKardin Slang”, Kardinal breaks down the city’s slang in each verse, similar to Big L‘s song “Ebonics”. The song popularized Toronto’s nickname “T-dot“, and became an instant hit in the city (taken verbatim from Wikipedia).
My style is off the thermostat plus I’m coming from the cold.
Vocabulary
In this song, Kardinal Offishal lists the many differences between American and Canadian slang.
- turn up (sep. phrasal verb) – to make music, radio, TV, etc. louder. I can’t hear the movie. Can you turn it up please?
- You know what I’m saying? (American slang) – a phrase used for clarification and to check understanding. Do you understand me? Know what I’m saying?
- Yuh dun know? (Canadaian slang)
- That’s the breaks! (American slang) – a phrase used when a problem has happened and you cannot change it. I’m sorry that your uncle died. That’s the breaks man. So it goes.
- A so it go. (Canadian slang)
- Word (American slang) – very common word used to express agreement and satisfaction. This track is dope! Word up, son
- zeen (Canadaian slang)
- More times (Canadian slang) – a phrase that means “More often than not”; More times California is hot and dry with no rain.
- Differently (Canadian slang) – used to tell somebody that they are wrong or incorrect.
- yute (Canadian slang) – a young person, especially a teenager. All the yutes are drinking and smoking cigarettes in the graveyard behind my house.
- jubie (Canadian slang) – a young, attractive woman. That jubie is the woman of my dreams!
- also, di gal dem (Canadian slang)
- T Dot (Canadian slang) – a nickname for the Canadian city of Toronto.
- kissing teeth (Canadian slang) – a sound made with the lips and teeth, used to show disapproval. Don’t you kiss teeth in front of me!
- Come again. (expression) – used to ask someone to repeat. Come again? Sorry, I didn’t understand you.
- punk (American slang) – a young boy who behaves badly or violently. That little punk needs to be arrested. He keeps stealing my newspapers.
- fosse (Canadian slang)
- crep (Canadian slang) – shoes.
- fete (Canadian slang) – a big party.
- 2-4 of Guinness (Canadian slang) – 24 cans of Guinness. He brought a 2-4 with him to the party, and he blacked a few hours later.
- the bundown (Canadian slang) – the most attractive woman even. She’s crazy hot! She’s the bundown.
- boys / homies (American slang) – your close friends. I might chill with my boys later tonight.
- di man dem (Canadian slang)
- chicken / skettlebam (Canadian slang) – an unintelligent, tacky and gross woman. Let’s get out of here. All the jubies at this party are all chickens.
- thug (American slang) – a violent criminal, especially a gangster.
- shotta (Canadian slang)
- burn Kahn / puff lah (Canadian slang) – to smoke marijuana. After a long day of work, who doesn’t like burning Kahn?
Writing Task
Kardinal Offishal is very proud of hometown of Toronto. Are you proud of your hometown? Why or why not? If I visit your city, what should I do or see? Please write your ideas in the comments below!