News and Views

From my kids accomplishments, to my heretical perspective of the world

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Newfoundland and Labrador

September 11th, 2015 · 1 Comment

One province, with a compound name. Established in 1949 as simply “Newfoundland”, the name was changed in 2001. In general conversation Canadians refer to the province as Newfoundland, but in all official discussion the full name is used. Practically, the island is always “Newfoundland”, while the mainland portion is often just “Labrador”.

I had always pronounced the island “New-Fund-Lund”, but I hear locals say “New-Fund-Land”, saying “Land” like we would in isolation. So that’s how I’m trying to say it.

Talking with some Torontons last night, they said that “Newfies” are often the brunt of jokes in metropolitan Canada, I think like the old Polack jokes we used to tell, or blonde jokes. “How many Newfies does it take to screw in a light bulb?” I’m sorry to say that I don’t know the answer.

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1 response so far ↓

  • 1 Donna // Sep 12, 2015 at 7:37 am

    I forgot about the mainland portion of Newfoundland. Is it considered part of the Maritime Provinces, too? Please wait while I go Google that. 😉 tick…tock… Wow! According to Wikipedia, the island portion of Newfoundland is not even part of the Maritimes. Just Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick. Huh! I guess now you’re all going to ask how many Donnas does it take…

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