Written by Gabriela Estrada

If you are a Latino living in Canada or planning to visit the country, don't miss out on understanding what people are saying on the street. Especially in typical cafes in cities like Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver, where people gather to share a delicious coffee and the phrase most often heard between tables is: "A Double-Double, please!".

From the student in Toronto to the native grandfather in Halifax, the expression Double-Double is used as slang exclusive to the country. It is pure popular culture. 

To make your English sound like a Canadian's and expand your vocabulary, read on to the end and discover the cultural richness behind this icon that you'll only find in the land of the maple leaf.

A hallmark, more than just a coffee

A Double-Double is a coffee with two portions of cream and two of sugar. Its texture is silky and its color is like light caramel. 

If someone orders it with milk, technically they should specify "Double-Double with milk", although the original recipe and the most popular choice is always with cream.

This name originated at the chain Tim Hortons, which is practically the "institution" of coffee in Canada. However, today it is a standard way to order it in any coffee shop in any province; if you try to use it in London or New York, the waiter will most likely not understand what you are ordering.

The legend behind the Double-Double

Tim Horton was one of the greatest ice hockey players in Canada. He was a star defenseman in the NHL, primarily with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he won four Stanley Cups. His sense of provision led him to become an entrepreneur, and in 1964, while still a star player, he founded the first doughnut and coffee shop in Hamilton, Ontario.

Although he never imagined that his store would become one of the country's greatest cultural legacies, he also never imagined that ten years later he would tragically die in a traffic accident on his way back from Buffalo. 

In his honor, his partner, Ron Joyce, grew the brand and turned it into the most popular chain in Canada: Tim Hortons, whose name resonates in every province.

Canadian vocabulary derived from Double-Double

Other words that every English learner should know in order to integrate into the environment are derived from this story. Here are some other slang:

• Timmies: that's what Canadians call the chain. It sounds much more natural to say: "I'm going to Timmies".
• Timbits: are small round bites made from the dough in the center of donuts. It is an acronym that combines the name Tim and the word bits (little pieces). This term is so strong that it survives even the language barrier in cities like Montreal!
• Loonie and Toonie: are the names for the Canadian $1 and $2 coins. 

For example, a medium coffee costs approximately $2.25 CAD. To pay for it, you would use a toonie and a quarter (25 cents).

The Double-Double by province

Although the Double-Double unites the Canadian population regardless of age or ethnicity, there are provinces where slight peculiarities in language can be felt. For example:

- In Ontario and the Prairies, its use is almost the norm in social gatherings.

- In Quebec, Canada's French-speaking province, the term coexists with French to such an extent that English is retained. Quebecers are practical people when it comes to language and often refer to the store simply as "the Tim".

- While in the Atlantic Provinces, it is very common for people to order a "Triple-Triple", an even sweeter coffee (3 shots of cream and 3 of sugar!).

And you, how would you order a coffee in Canada? If you want to improve your English with a Canadian focus, study with our certified teachers at Planeta Immiland Education.

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Our teachers are specialists in teaching English and French with a focus on work, study, personal growth, and life in Canada.

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I hope you enjoyed this topic and that it motivates you to continue learning. Thank you for reading. Don't miss our next blog: The Mystery of the White Lady of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac: A Quebec Legend.

With love,

Planet Immiland