The way people talk.
I was in the local book store a few weeks back, chatting to the owner, and he asked where I’m from. “I know it’s not Newfoundland!” he said, and laughed in a very friendly sort of way. Newfoundlanders are usually pretty good about not holding it against you when you say you’re a mainlander, even if you turn out to be from Ontario like I am.
No, I don’t have the accent. But then, my husband only does sometimes, and he grew up in St. John’s. The kids sometimes do, too, especially when they say things like “Jeez, b’y!” (which is really adorable, BTW), and they’ve only lived here a few years, total.
Want to hear a couple of great accents? Here we have Rick Mercer (oh, the videos I could show you) interviewing Allan Hawco, who is the writer, producer, and star of Republic of Doyle. Just listen to these guys.
(And look at that scenery. This makes my heart ache for St. John’s, and I’m only 4 hours away. I don’t know how the rest of you can bear it. And also, Allan Hawco with no shirt on, also lovely scenery, just saying,)
It just doesn’t get better than that, guys.
It’s not just the accents, either. The words and phrases people use, as I think I’ve mentioned before, are like nothing you’ll here anything else. Here’s Allan Hawco again (ain’t he adorable?) to teach us a few important terms:
Love it.
Know what? Here’s another little piece of the Rick Mercer Report. It wasn’t shot in NL, but come on, I found a video where they laugh about the world’s largest testes. This is my blog, I don’t need more reason than that. 🙂
disregard the prologue 
April 18th, 2013 at 11:59 am
These are great! I laughed out loud! And Allan Hawco–hubba hubba. I’ve never been to Newfoundland, but my dad was stationed there many years ago when he was a sergeant in the Army. Would love to visit.
April 18th, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Come visit me! 😀
Actually, don’t. Not here. There’s nothing here where I live. But if you ever get to go to St. John’s, it’s fantastic. The history is overwhelming, the city is beautiful (well, most of it), and the people are very welcoming.
Was your dad stationed in Argentia?
April 18th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
I can’t say for sure, but I’ll ask him.
April 18th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Okay. Dad said Stephenville. Ernest Harmon Air Force Base. He said it was later turned into an airport.
April 18th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Never been to Stephenville. Been past it on the way to the ferry. I need to get out more. 🙂
April 18th, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Are there puffins in St. John’s (and for the sharp-eyed dragoffins?) Also, let’s say I wanted to plan a trip to St. John’s and Newfoundland in general. What would you recommend I do? And best season to come?
April 18th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
Oh, my dear, that’s a whole other post! You can get on a boat not far from St. John’s and definitely see puffins, kittiwakes, razorbills and a whole bunch of other birds with really fun names; come at the right time of year and you’ll see whales, too. I’d recommend coming in the summer (meaning July through September, really). July’s probably best for whales, when they’re in feeding and breeding and generally partying it up. Before that the weather’s too unpredictable, but summer is really lovely, even on wet days.
Next time we go in I’m hoping to get to some of my favourite spots and take pictures for a post. Cape Spear is a favourite of mine (the most easterly point in North America! Lighthouses! Waves that kill people! Whee!), downtown St. John’s is amazing, and Bowring Park is one of my favourite places anywhere. Newfoundland in general… it’s a big place. There’s a whole lot of nothing, and there’s a whole lot of amazing. 🙂
April 18th, 2013 at 1:14 pm
Sounds amazing! Maybe I’ll talk the BFF into thinking of the St. John’s area for a summer trip, if we can squeeze one in. I do love lighthouses!
April 18th, 2013 at 8:59 pm
I love accents as well!:) That is really cute!