Some days, I just have to admit that Canada is cool. They’ve got no GW Bush, but they do have the Burgess shale…and now I learn that Newfoundland has giant squid. And they treat them respectfully!
Proof positive that the squid god didn’t descend to the abyss after sacrificing herself to take away the sins of the calamari eating human race.
JohnnieCanuck, FCDsays
Come on now, Newfies tell great jokes. There’s nothing wrong with passing them on. :-}
I read a really good joke in a Newfie expat magazine not too long ago, while waiting in a doctors’ office. It was so good that I even remembered it long enough to retell it. Once. I’m sure you’re all sorry to hear that.
It’s an interesting bit of culture they have there. Don’t know if there are recipes for cod cheeks or cod tongue, or even seal flipper pie, but if you are interested in the exotic, try:
Dan Dennett told a Newfie joke in one of his books, it went something like:
I ran into my Newfie friend the other day. Both of his ears were bandaged. I asked him, “What happened to your ears?”
He said, “Well, you know, I was in the middle of ironing my clothes, when the phone rang, and…”
I said, “Oh, no, you didn’t! But.. that explains one ear; what happened to the other one?”
He said, “Well, I had to call the doctor…”
Of course, Dennett was making a point about the bewildering array of unconscious beliefs that underlie our ability to understand language, but it’s still a good joke.
Newfies are the biggest teller of Newfie jokes. I’m half-newfie on my mother’s side, and remembered receiving several “Newfie Joke” books as a child from relatives back east.
Did you hear about the Newfie who brought a ladder to the bar? He heard the drinks were on the house.
… when I was nine I thought that was hilarious.
Carpworldsays
NFL is an awesome place! Everyone should visit for the capelin run to see the humpbacks come in to feast, now that’s entertainment. Plus the cod tongues are indeed something special.
Richard Harrissays
Annie Proulx’s novel “The Shipping News” gives the impression that the Newfies are mostly Irish in origin. This actually seems to be a common misperception.
Where I live in England, in a village near Sturminster Newton, North Dorset, I’m in the heart of what is believed to be the Newfie ancestral region. Family names here are very much like those in Newfie, such as Snook, Hart, Butt.
Carpworldsays
Richard,
the misperception probably arises from the accent over there which sounded (to my English ears) like a strange mixture of Irish with a dose of West Country – i think most people don’t know what a Dorset accent sounds like so all they hear is the Irish. Plus there is a quite a culture of Irish folk music which adds to the impression.
SEFsays
Newfoundland has giant squid
It has one fewer now though. :-(
katiesays
If you’re into fossils, check out Mistaken Point. Ediacaran (sp?) fossils all over the place! I think they even made the cover of Science… Go Newfoundland!
Menasays
It’s not just the Burgess Shale, Canada also has Mistaken Point, located in Newfoundland. They also have one of the most interesting town names. What were they thinking?!?!?!
Brian Delaneysays
Stop with the jokes. Doesn’t sound the same coming for you CFAs. And that interesting place name, its next to the town of Spread Eagle. Go figure…
Graculussays
its next to the town of Spread Eagle. Go figure…
Not to mention Conception and Placentia….
Umiliksays
Cod tongues ? Didn’t cod go extinct from overfishing a while back ?
There are actually a lot of people in Newfoundland of Irish descent ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Newfoundlanders ) and the accent in parts of Newfoundland is more Irish sounding than in others.
Others,
If we want to discuss crazy Newfoundland names, I think we have to start with the town formerly known as Gayside. The people of Gayside decided they didn’t want to have “gay” in their town name so they changed it to Baytona. (yes, as far as I know, that is a combination of bay and Daytona)
raindogzillasays
Even Dildo has giant squid:
“In 1933 a giant squid was discovered by two local residents Reuben Reid and Richard Gosse. The squid was 30 feet long, and a replica is on display at the local museum.”
Don’t be dissing Newfie jokes, they’re an important part of our cultural heritage. Failing to repeat them is an act of cultural imperialism.
Jimmy was a bit of an idiot who had no skills after the fisheries closed, so the mayor took pity on him and gave him a job polishing the brass cannon on the steps of the town hall. Every morning for 20 years, rain, shine, snow or sleet, Jimmy polished that cannon until it shone.
After 20 years, Jimmy went to the mayor and announced that he was quitting.
“What are you going to do with yourself?” asked the mayor.
“I’ve saved up enough to buy a cannon and I’m going into business for myself”.
(with a shout-out to Uncle Dick and Aunt Susan in Marystown!)
Richard Harris, FCDsays
Andre,
According to the 2001 Canadian census,[1] the largest ethnic group in Newfoundland and Labrador is English (39.4%), followed by Irish (19.7%), Scottish (6.0%), French (5.5%), and First Nations (3.2%). While half of all respondents also identified their ethnicity as “Canadian,” 38% report their ethnicity as “Newfoundlander” in a 2003 StatsCan Ethnic Diversity Survey.
I used to think it was a 50% Irish population, but you only have to look at the CBC Newfoundland newsletter a few times to see that most of the people’s names are English derived – although some of these could be Irish anyway.
Carpworld,
The North Dorset accent is much harsher than the South Dorset, although the female version isn’t so variable. This accent seems to extend up to Bristol with a related quality to it, (rather like the way some American & Canadian accents are related). I think that I can hear North Dorset in the Newfie accent, more so than Irish. But I’m no expert, & I’ve not heard a Newfie in years.
Richard Harris, FCDsays
Regarding vulgar place names, Dorset seems to have more than its fair share.
We’ve got Shitterton, (which was changed to Sitterton when the Queen visited the area, but it’s being changed back). There’s the Piddle river, & villages called Piddlehinton, etc. Some of these names have been changed to Puddle. Somewhat less vulgar, Tincleton is close by. And so is the Cerne Abbas giant!
Jonathansays
Thanks for posting that link, PZ! I’m from St. John’s myself, and I used to dive with Randy Batten when I was an undergraduate at Memorial University. If you hadn’t posted this article, I’d have never known that he was a curator now!
Oh, and thanks for those Newfie jokes! I hadn’t heard those before, and they’re great :)
P.S. Dildo is also near “Backside Pond Provincial Park” and not TOO far a drive from “Come by chance” :)
For years Batten says he’s heard tourists asking for the giant squid, and even had a couple track it down through a number of scientists and plan their vacation to Newfoundland based on the squid.
PZ, was this you?
C. Birkbecksays
That should: You can always make fun of Toronto.
Menasays
Maybe the tradition can be changed to drinking screech and then kissing a giant squid if PZ ever visits.
Hmm, frat-fishermen drinking screech-maybe that’s how some of these places got names. ;^)
Oh, and as far as making fun of Toronto, I do love it there but I have always found it a bit too American for my tastes. I’d rather be somewhere out west, sorry, although visiting the Newfies sounds like it would be just as much fun.
Mike from Ottawasays
When I was a kid my Mom was a nurse at a Canadian Forces hospital. Many of the orderlies were Newfies and she’d come home with Newfie jokes they’d told her. The one I remember was ‘What does it say on the bottom of Coke bottles in Newfoundland? “Open other end.” ‘
Piratically inclined Pharyngulites might enjoy Newfoundland band Great Big Sea. Great music to get drunk to.
Brian English says
Proof positive that the squid god didn’t descend to the abyss after sacrificing herself to take away the sins of the calamari eating human race.
JohnnieCanuck, FCD says
Come on now, Newfies tell great jokes. There’s nothing wrong with passing them on. :-}
I read a really good joke in a Newfie expat magazine not too long ago, while waiting in a doctors’ office. It was so good that I even remembered it long enough to retell it. Once. I’m sure you’re all sorry to hear that.
It’s an interesting bit of culture they have there. Don’t know if there are recipes for cod cheeks or cod tongue, or even seal flipper pie, but if you are interested in the exotic, try:
http://www.downhomelife.com/
Me, I’m from the Wet Coast of Canada, the one without icebergs.
Pete says
Dan Dennett told a Newfie joke in one of his books, it went something like:
I ran into my Newfie friend the other day. Both of his ears were bandaged. I asked him, “What happened to your ears?”
He said, “Well, you know, I was in the middle of ironing my clothes, when the phone rang, and…”
I said, “Oh, no, you didn’t! But.. that explains one ear; what happened to the other one?”
He said, “Well, I had to call the doctor…”
Of course, Dennett was making a point about the bewildering array of unconscious beliefs that underlie our ability to understand language, but it’s still a good joke.
Joe Fulgham says
Newfies are the biggest teller of Newfie jokes. I’m half-newfie on my mother’s side, and remembered receiving several “Newfie Joke” books as a child from relatives back east.
Did you hear about the Newfie who brought a ladder to the bar? He heard the drinks were on the house.
… when I was nine I thought that was hilarious.
Carpworld says
NFL is an awesome place! Everyone should visit for the capelin run to see the humpbacks come in to feast, now that’s entertainment. Plus the cod tongues are indeed something special.
Richard Harris says
Annie Proulx’s novel “The Shipping News” gives the impression that the Newfies are mostly Irish in origin. This actually seems to be a common misperception.
Where I live in England, in a village near Sturminster Newton, North Dorset, I’m in the heart of what is believed to be the Newfie ancestral region. Family names here are very much like those in Newfie, such as Snook, Hart, Butt.
Carpworld says
Richard,
the misperception probably arises from the accent over there which sounded (to my English ears) like a strange mixture of Irish with a dose of West Country – i think most people don’t know what a Dorset accent sounds like so all they hear is the Irish. Plus there is a quite a culture of Irish folk music which adds to the impression.
SEF says
It has one fewer now though. :-(
katie says
If you’re into fossils, check out Mistaken Point. Ediacaran (sp?) fossils all over the place! I think they even made the cover of Science… Go Newfoundland!
Mena says
It’s not just the Burgess Shale, Canada also has Mistaken Point, located in Newfoundland. They also have one of the most interesting town names. What were they thinking?!?!?!
Brian Delaney says
Stop with the jokes. Doesn’t sound the same coming for you CFAs. And that interesting place name, its next to the town of Spread Eagle. Go figure…
Graculus says
its next to the town of Spread Eagle. Go figure…
Not to mention Conception and Placentia….
Umilik says
Cod tongues ? Didn’t cod go extinct from overfishing a while back ?
Andre says
Richard and Carpworld,
There are actually a lot of people in Newfoundland of Irish descent ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Newfoundlanders ) and the accent in parts of Newfoundland is more Irish sounding than in others.
Others,
If we want to discuss crazy Newfoundland names, I think we have to start with the town formerly known as Gayside. The people of Gayside decided they didn’t want to have “gay” in their town name so they changed it to Baytona. (yes, as far as I know, that is a combination of bay and Daytona)
raindogzilla says
Even Dildo has giant squid:
“In 1933 a giant squid was discovered by two local residents Reuben Reid and Richard Gosse. The squid was 30 feet long, and a replica is on display at the local museum.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dildo,_Newfoundland_and_Labrador
aiabx says
Don’t be dissing Newfie jokes, they’re an important part of our cultural heritage. Failing to repeat them is an act of cultural imperialism.
Jimmy was a bit of an idiot who had no skills after the fisheries closed, so the mayor took pity on him and gave him a job polishing the brass cannon on the steps of the town hall. Every morning for 20 years, rain, shine, snow or sleet, Jimmy polished that cannon until it shone.
After 20 years, Jimmy went to the mayor and announced that he was quitting.
“What are you going to do with yourself?” asked the mayor.
“I’ve saved up enough to buy a cannon and I’m going into business for myself”.
(with a shout-out to Uncle Dick and Aunt Susan in Marystown!)
Richard Harris, FCD says
Andre,
According to the 2001 Canadian census,[1] the largest ethnic group in Newfoundland and Labrador is English (39.4%), followed by Irish (19.7%), Scottish (6.0%), French (5.5%), and First Nations (3.2%). While half of all respondents also identified their ethnicity as “Canadian,” 38% report their ethnicity as “Newfoundlander” in a 2003 StatsCan Ethnic Diversity Survey.
I used to think it was a 50% Irish population, but you only have to look at the CBC Newfoundland newsletter a few times to see that most of the people’s names are English derived – although some of these could be Irish anyway.
Carpworld,
The North Dorset accent is much harsher than the South Dorset, although the female version isn’t so variable. This accent seems to extend up to Bristol with a related quality to it, (rather like the way some American & Canadian accents are related). I think that I can hear North Dorset in the Newfie accent, more so than Irish. But I’m no expert, & I’ve not heard a Newfie in years.
Richard Harris, FCD says
Regarding vulgar place names, Dorset seems to have more than its fair share.
We’ve got Shitterton, (which was changed to Sitterton when the Queen visited the area, but it’s being changed back). There’s the Piddle river, & villages called Piddlehinton, etc. Some of these names have been changed to Puddle. Somewhat less vulgar, Tincleton is close by. And so is the Cerne Abbas giant!
Jonathan says
Thanks for posting that link, PZ! I’m from St. John’s myself, and I used to dive with Randy Batten when I was an undergraduate at Memorial University. If you hadn’t posted this article, I’d have never known that he was a curator now!
Oh, and thanks for those Newfie jokes! I hadn’t heard those before, and they’re great :)
P.S. Dildo is also near “Backside Pond Provincial Park” and not TOO far a drive from “Come by chance” :)
C. Birkbeck says
You always make fun of Toronto.
VWXYNot? says
PZ, was this you?
C. Birkbeck says
That should: You can always make fun of Toronto.
Mena says
Maybe the tradition can be changed to drinking screech and then kissing a giant squid if PZ ever visits.
Hmm, frat-fishermen drinking screech-maybe that’s how some of these places got names. ;^)
Oh, and as far as making fun of Toronto, I do love it there but I have always found it a bit too American for my tastes. I’d rather be somewhere out west, sorry, although visiting the Newfies sounds like it would be just as much fun.
Mike from Ottawa says
When I was a kid my Mom was a nurse at a Canadian Forces hospital. Many of the orderlies were Newfies and she’d come home with Newfie jokes they’d told her. The one I remember was ‘What does it say on the bottom of Coke bottles in Newfoundland? “Open other end.” ‘
Piratically inclined Pharyngulites might enjoy Newfoundland band Great Big Sea. Great music to get drunk to.