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Regimental nicknames of the Canadian Forces
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Many regiments have over the years earned nicknames; some laudatory, some derogatory, but all colourful. Sometimes, the nicknames themselves have overshadowed the actual regimental title, e.g. the "Van Doos" for the Royal 22e Régiment
Royal 22e Régiment
The Royal 22nd Regiment is an infantry regiment and the most famous francophone organization of the Canadian Forces. The regiment comprises three Regular Force battalions, two Primary Reserve battalions, and a band, making it the largest regiment in the Canadian Army...

. In some cases the nickname actually replaced it: in 1881, the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot became officially known by its nickname, The Black Watch
The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
The Black Watch of Canada is a reserve infantry regiment in 34 Brigade Group, Land Force Quebec Area. The regiment is located on rue de Bleury in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and is currently commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bruno Plourde...

.

What follows is a list of nicknames of Canadian regiments, arranged alphabetically by regimental title. A brief explanation of the origin of the nickname, where known, is included.

#

  • 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER)
    • 1 Career Ending Regiment

  • 1st Hussars
    1st Hussars
    The 1st Hussars is an armoured Primary Reserve regiment of the Canadian Forces, currently based in London, Ontario and Sarnia, Ontario.-Foundation and organisation:...

     (1 H)
    • 1st Hosers

  • 4th Air Defence Regiment, RCA (4 AD REGT)
    • 4th Alcohol and Drug Regiment

  • 5th (British Columbia) Field Regiment, RCA (5 RCA)
    • Five Tribe

  • 5 Service Battalion 
    • 5 Battalion, No Service: from '"5 BN S"' and soldiers' beliefs their individual needs cannot always be met. Can be applied to any service battalion.

  • 5e Régiment d'Artillerie Legere du Canada
    • 5 Rounds All over La Country - from the units '5 RALC' designation

  • 6e Régiment d’artillerie de campagne, ARC (6e RAC)
    • 6e Rack à bicycle (6th Bike Rack)

  • 7th Toronto Regiment, RCA
    7th Toronto Regiment, RCA
    The 7th Toronto Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery is a militia regiment of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group,...

     (7 RCA)
    • 7 Guns or 7 Toronto
    • Seven Tor (shortening of the regiment's name)
    • Seven RCA

  • 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's)
    8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's)
    The 8th Canadian Hussars is one of the longest serving armoured regiments in the Canadian Army. A Squadron being Regular Force served in CFB Gagetown and B, C and HQ Squadrons served in Sussex, Moncton and Sackville...

     (VIII CH)
    • The Crazy Eights: play on the regimental number and the card game
      Crazy Eights
      Crazy Eights is a shedding-type card game for two to seven players. The object of the game is to be the first to get rid of all the player's cards to a discard pile. The game is considered a pre-extension of Switch and Mau Mau, much favoured in schools during the 1970s.A standard 52-card deck is...

    • Channel Eight: play on their slip-ons' abbreviation of their name "VIII CH"

  • 12e Régiment blindé du Canada
    12e Régiment blindé du Canada
    The 12e Régiment blindé du Canada is a Canadian Forces armoured regiment based in CFB Valcartier, on the outskirts of Quebec City...

     (12 RBC)
    • 12th Rubber Boot Company: from "12 RBC"
    • Douzième rangée de beaux caves: from "12 RBC"

  • 33 Service Battalion
    • The Dirty Thirty: Also refers to any service battalion in Land Force Atlantic Area
      Land Force Atlantic Area
      Land Force Atlantic Area is responsible for Canadian Army operations in the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. LFAA is headquartered at Canadian Forces Base Halifax on the Atlantic coast...

    • Circus Battalion

  • 48th Highlanders of Canada
    48th Highlanders of Canada
    The 48th Highlanders of Canada is a Canadian Forces Primary Reserve infantry regiment based in Toronto, parading out of Moss Park Armoury. The regiment is part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group....

     (48 HIGHRS)
    • The Dirty Four Dozen: most likely a play on The Dirty Dozen
      The Dirty Dozen
      The Dirty Dozen is a 1967 film directed by Robert Aldrich and released by MGM. It was filmed in England and features an ensemble cast, including Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, John Cassavetes, Telly Savalas, and Robert Webber. The film is based on E. M...

      , where “48” equals four dozen
    • The Forty-Eighths
    • The Glamour Boys:
      • According to Farley Mowat
        Farley Mowat
        Farley McGill Mowat, , born May 12, 1921 is a conservationist and one of Canada's most widely-read authors.His works have been translated into 52 languages and he has sold more than 14 million books. He achieved fame with the publication of his books on the Canadian North, such as People of the...

        's The Regiment, the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment were known as "Ploughjockeys" due to their rural recruiting area, while the 48th Highlanders—who recruited from Toronto—were known as "Glamour Boys." This origin is also cited by the The War Amps
        The War Amps
        The War Amps is a Canadian nation-wide registered charitable organization founded in 1918 and operated under the direction of war amputees. Since its inception, The War Amps has had as its hallmark the unique philosophy of “amputees helping amputees.” The War Amps is able to operate its many...

        .http://www.waramps.ca/military/wwii/awot.html#valguarnera
      • An alternate explanation comes from the blue puttees they wore; during an inspection by King George VI
        George VI of the United Kingdom
        George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...

         in World War II
        World War II
        World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

        , the regiment wore blue puttee
        Puttee
        A puttee, also spelled puttie, is the name, adapted from the Hindi patti, bandage , for a covering for the lower part of the leg from the ankle to the knee, consisting of a long narrow piece of cloth wound tightly and spirally round the leg, and serving both as a support and protection, worn...

        s due to a shortage of khaki
        Khaki
        This article is about the fabric. For the color, see Khaki . Kaki, another name for the persimmon, is often misspelled "Khaki".Khaki is a type of fabric or the color of such fabric...

         material. The king reputedly liked the blue puttees better than the khaki ones worn by the rest of the brigade, and authorized the regiment to keep them. This is the origin cited by the regiment itself.

A–G

  • The Algonquin Regiment
    The Algonquin Regiment
    The Algonquin Regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces comprising two companies. A Coy is located in North Bay, Ontario and B Coy is located in Timmins.-Early period:...

     (ALQ R)
    • The Algoons: from World War II
    • The Gonks

  • The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's)
    • Ash Cans, from “ASH of C(an)”

  • The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
    The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
    The Black Watch of Canada is a reserve infantry regiment in 34 Brigade Group, Land Force Quebec Area. The regiment is located on rue de Bleury in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and is currently commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bruno Plourde...
    • 'the Ladies From Hell' - A name given to them by their German adversaries (Die Damen aus der Hölle) as they fought in kilts in World War I (and continued to until 1940)

  • The Brockville Rifles
    The Brockville Rifles
    The Brockville Rifles is a Primary Reserve Infantry Regiment of the Canadian Forces. It is fifteenth in the order of precedence.The motto of the regiment is Semper Paratus meaning 'Always Ready'.-History:...
    • The Brocks
    • The Broken Rifles
    • The Brokeback Rifles

  • The Calgary Highlanders
    The Calgary Highlanders
    The Calgary Highlanders is a Canadian Forces Land Force Primary Reserve infantry regiment, headquartered at Mewata Armouries in Calgary, Alberta, Canada...
    • The Cowhides
    • Cal His: from the short title CALG HIGHRS.
    • Calgary Highgrinders
  • The Canadian Grenadier Guards
    The Canadian Grenadier Guards
    The Canadian Grenadier Guards is the second most senior and oldest infantry regiment in the Reserve Force of the Canadian Forces. Located in Montreal, its primary role is the provision of combat-ready troops in support of Canadian regular infantry...
    • The Canadian Girl Guides from "CGG"
    • The Guards

  • The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa
    The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa
    The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.-History:The 1st Volunteer Militia Rifle Company of Ottawa was formed on April 3, 1856. At that time, the bulk of Canada's militia existed as small, independent companies scattered throughout the provinces...
    • Camerons
    • C.H.Of.O.
    • CHOO's

  • The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
    The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
    The Canadian Scottish Regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces based on Vancouver Island British Columbia.The regiment is located in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Courtenay, British Columbia...
    • Can Scots
    • CSR: sometimes confused with 1 Canadian Signals Regiment
    • Canned Scots

  • Canadian Special Operations Regiment
    Canadian Special Operations Regiment
    The Canadian Special Operations Regiment is a battalion-sized, high-readiness special operations unit part of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command...
    • Canadian Soldier on the Run
    • Double-doubles, from the similarity in colour between their tan berets and coffee with cream (a double-double is a Tim Hortons
      Tim Hortons
      Tim Hortons Inc. is a Canadian fast casual restaurant known for its coffee and doughnuts. It is also Canada's largest fast food service with over 3000 stores nationwide. It was founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario, by Canadian hockey player Tim Horton and Jim Charade, after an initial venture in...

       coffee with two measures of cream and two of sugar)
    • ISOR-Eye Sore

  • The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)
    • The Dukes
    • Big Chinese Restaurant based on the large number of Asians in Vancouver
    • Billion Chinese Regiment
  • The British Columbia Dragoons
    The British Columbia Dragoons
    The British Columbia Dragoons is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance regiment of the Canadian Forces. It is based in Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton, British Columbia...
    • Apple Knockers
    • Better Class Drinkers
    • Best Canadian Drunks"
    • British Columbia Baboons
    • British Columbia Discharges
    • Big Cocky Dickheads
    • Big Chicken Dinners
  • The Essex and Kent Scottish
    The Essex and Kent Scottish
    The Essex and Kent Scottish is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.The regiment was formed in 1954 by the amalgamation of The Essex Scottish Regiment and The Kent Regiment....
    • Eeks and Squeaks
    • Essence of Cunt

  • The Fort Garry Horse
    The Fort Garry Horse
    The Fort Garry Horse is a Canadian Army Reserve Armoured Regiment based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is currently part of Land Force Western Area's 38 Canadian Brigade Group.- History :...
    • The Garrys
    • Fugahwees, informally, from the initials FGH, as in "where the fugahwe?"
    • Fags, Gays, and Homos, from the initials FGH

  • Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke
    Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke
    Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. It is based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, with a sub-unit in Granby.-Armourial description:...
    • The Fuzz de Sher , from Fus de Sher, or just the Fuzz, particularly by cross-town rivals, the Sherbrooke Hussars. The regiment's newsletter is also titled Fuz.

  • The Governor General's Foot Guards
    Governor General's Foot Guards
    The Governor General's Foot Guards is one of three Household regiments in the Primary Reserve of the Canadian Army, along with The Governor General's Horse Guards and the Canadian Grenadier Guards. The GGFG is the most senior militia infantry regiment in Canada."Civitas et Princeps Cura Nostra" is...
    • Guards.
    • Foot Guards.
    • Googoo Foogoos, from “GGFG”.
    • God's Gift to Fat Girls, from “GGFG”.
    • Gustav Gone for Good or Good God, Forgot the Gustav! Used after the regiment left an 84 mm Carl Gustav anti-tank weapon by the side of a road after a weekend exercise and then drove off. When the mistake was realized, and a party sent to retrieve it, the weapon had vanished.
    • Gods Gift For Gays
    • Grenades Gone For Good-they did a grenade range in the 90's and left a box behind

  • The Governor General's Horse Guards
    The Governor General's Horse Guards
    The Governor General's Horse Guards is an armoured reconnaissance regiment in the Primary Reserve of the Canadian Army, part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group. Based in Toronto, it is the most senior reserve regiment in Canada, and the only Household Cavalry regiment of...
    • God’s Gift to Horny Girls, from “GGHG”
    • Gugga Huggas, from “GGHG”
    • Gee Gee H Gees, from "GGHG"
    • Gee Gees, from "GGHG"
    • the Horse Shit

  • The Grey and Simcoe Foresters
    The Grey and Simcoe Foresters
    The Grey and Simcoe Foresters is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. It is part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group...
    • Farmer Johns
    • The Gay and Simple Farmers
    • The Green and Slimy Foreskins
    • Global and Nuclear Special Forces, from GnSF.
    • Goat and Sheep Fuckers

H–Q

  • Highland Light Infantry of Canada
    Highland Light Infantry of Canada
    The Highland Light Infantry of Canada was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. Founded in 1886 as the 29th Waterloo Battalion of Infantry it went through several name changes including, in 1900, the 29th Waterloo Regiment and in 1915, the 29th Regiment . It acquired its present title in 1920...
    • Hell's Little Infants

  • The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
    The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
    The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment is headquartered in Belleville, Ontario, with companies in Peterborough and Cobourg....
    • Hasty Pees, Hasty P’s
    • Hasty Puds from “HAST PER” with a play on “hasty pudding
      Hasty pudding
      Hasty pudding is a pudding or porridge of grains cooked in milk or water. In the United States, it invariably refers to a version made of ground corn...

      ”
    • Plough Jockeys: from World War II, bestowed because of the regiment's rural roots

  • The Irish Regiment of Canada
    The Irish Regiment of Canada
    2nd Battalion, The Irish Regiment of Canada is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces based in Sudbury, Ontario. The 1st Battalion was reduced to nil strength and placed on the Supplemental Order of Battle on 31 December 1964....
    • 2 Irish (from the regiment in Sudbury, 2nd Battalion)
    • 2nd Irish
    • 2 Lep (2 Leprecaun)
    • The NOB's (Northern Ontario battalion, also includes The Algonquin Regiment)

  • The King's Own Calgary Regiment
    • King's Own
    • Kay Ohs
    • Cock Rs
    • Knights of Columbus Regiment
    • King's Own Kitty Killers
  • The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment
    • Lake Superior Snake Rapers
    • Lower Slobovian Snake Rapers
    • Lake Soups
    • Losers (LSSR read as a word)
  • The Lincoln and Welland Regiment
    The Lincoln and Welland Regiment
    The Lincoln and Welland Regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces based in St Catharines and Welland, Ontario.The Regimental Colonel-in-Chief is The Countess of Wessex and...
    • The Lincs
    • The Lincs and Winks

  • Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
    Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
    Lord Strathcona's Horse is a regular armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces. Currently based in Edmonton, Alberta, the regiment is part of Land Force Western Area's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group...
    • Strathconas
    • Straths or Strats
    • The Strathconeheads
    • Lady Strathcona's Riding Club
    • Fatconas
    • Fat Strats
    • Likeable Dumb Shitheads
    • A common joke used during exchanges between soldiers of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
      Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
      Lord Strathcona's Horse is a regular armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces. Currently based in Edmonton, Alberta, the regiment is part of Land Force Western Area's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group...

       and of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
      Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
      Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...

       is, "Why don't we do this on a first name basis. You can call me Lord and I'll call you Princess."
  • The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment)
    The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment)
    The Lorne Scots is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It is part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group.The sub-units of the Lorne Scots are situated in the following armouries:...
    • The Forlorn Scots
    • The Horny Lornies: jocular rhyme
    • Tweety’s or Tweeties: from the primrose hackle resembling the Tweety Bird cartoon character
    • Nun Fuckers


  • North Saskatchewan Regiment
    North Saskatchewan Regiment
    The North Saskatchewan Regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces, headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with companies in Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Its current commanding officer is Lieutenant-Colonel Dan Whittaker, who took over from Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm...
      • Nisker, a humorous pronunciation of their abbreviated name 'N Sask R'
      • Niskers, pluralization of the singular 'Nisker'

  • The Nova Scotia Highlanders
    The Nova Scotia Highlanders
    The Nova Scotia Highlanders is a reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.- Creation :The regiment was formed in 1954 by the amalgamation of The North Nova Scotia Highlanders, The Cape Breton Highlanders, and The Pictou Highlanders....
    • Ladies from Hades: from the First World War; a jocular reference to their kilted battle dress and their fierce fighting.
    • Highlanders: This name can also be applied to other highland regiments, but is used mainly to describe this regiment. The could also be derived from the common name (highlander) of the unit's cap badge.

  • The Ontario Regiment
    • Ontars from “OntR”
    • Scaredy Cats: from the unit's cap badge, a cat with an arched back
    • The Pissing Cats, as above
    • Screaming Pussies, as above
    • Meow!

  • The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC)
    The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC)
    The Prince Edward Island Regiment is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance regiment of the Canadian Forces, Land Force Atlantic Area, 36 Canadian Brigade Group. The regiment is based in Charlottetown and Summerside.-Perpetuations:...
    • The Fighting 17th
    • S.I.D.'s (Spud Island Dragoons)

  • Princess Louise Fusiliers
    • The Prancing Little Fairies: used generally by the West Novies and Nova Scotia Highlanders
    • Flaming Testicle: taken from grenade with flames on the regiment's cap badge.
    • Pretty Ladies Fuck Us: from their shoulder flashes that read PL Fus. Used by members of the regiment when asked what it stands for.
    • Please Ladies Fuck Us Soldiers

  • The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment
    The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment
    The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.The regiment was created on 16 January 1863 as the 14th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada from the amalgamation of Kingston, Ontario’s seven independent rifle companies...
    • The Pee-Dubs

  • Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
    Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
    Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
    • The Patricias: the preferred nickname among soldiers actually serving in, or who have served with, the regiment.
    • The Pats
    • Princess Pat's: generally used only by the media.
    • The Picklies or Picks, from “PPCLI”
    • Ping Pong Champions of Long Island
    • Ping Pong Champions of Lulu Island
    • Pud-Pulling Cowboys Learning Italian: extremely derogatory name that is both a mockery the Patricias' geographic location in Western Canada and an allusion to them being D-Day Dodgers
      D-Day Dodgers
      The D-Day Dodgers is a term for those Allied servicemen who fought in Italy during the Second World War, which also inspired a popular wartime soldier's song...

      .
    • Peanuts, Popcorn, Candy, Licorice and Ice Cream
    • Please Protect Canada's Little Idiots
    • Piss Pot Cleaners and Latrine Inspectors
    • The Mickey Mouse Brigade - this may be a reference to a popular insult that was sung to members of the regiment to the Mickey Mouse Club theme music: "M-I-C-K-E-Y P-P-C-L-I"
    • Princess Pocahontas' Cute Little Indians
    • VP: from Victoria Patricia
      Princess Patricia of Connaught
      Princess Patricia of Connaught was a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria...

      , original colonel-in-chief. Often preceded by battalion number.
    • Vicious Patricias: from the VP on the dress uniform's buttons, which from above actually stand for "Victoria Patricia"

  • The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
    The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
    The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada is a militia regiment within the Canadian Forces, based in Toronto, Ontario. The regiment is part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group. It is the only Primary Reserve regiment in Canada to have a parachute role. The regiment consists of the reserve...
    • Queen's Own
    • The Rifles
    • Quickest out of Ridgeway, a reference to their disorganized withdrawal at the Battle of Ridgeway
      Battle of Ridgeway
      The Battle of Ridgeway was fought in the vicinity of the town of Fort Erie across the Niagara River from Buffalo, NY near the village of Ridgeway, Canada West, currently Ontario, Canada on June 2, 1866, between Canadian troops and an irregular army of Irish-American invaders, the Fenians...


  • The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment)
    • The Rangers
    • QYRangs or Q'wairang, from the unit's 'QYRng' designation
    • KY Rangers,
    • The Black Plague, Black from black headdress—Plague from not breaking contact with the enemy—'plaguing the enemy'.
    • Queen's York Strangers

R–Z

  • Régiment de Hull
    • 'Are Dull' English pronunciation of "R de Hull'
  • The Rocky Mountain Rangers
    The Rocky Mountain Rangers
    The Rocky Mountain Rangers is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regimental headquarters are located at JR Vicars Armoury in Kamloops, British Columbia...
    • Rim Rangs
    • The Rocky Mountain Ram Fuckers Referring to the unit cap badge of the big horn sheep
    • The Rocky Mountain Rabbit Rapers
    • The Rocky Mountain Retards
    • The Rocky Mountain Rim-jobs

  • Royal 22e Régiment
    Royal 22e Régiment
    The Royal 22nd Regiment is an infantry regiment and the most famous francophone organization of the Canadian Forces. The regiment comprises three Regular Force battalions, two Primary Reserve battalions, and a band, making it the largest regiment in the Canadian Army...
    • The Van Doos: from an English corruption of the French
      French language
      French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...

       vingt-deux or “twenty-two”. This name dates back to the Great War where the 22e was the first battalion raised in which French was used as the language of command and the only French speaking unit that served in the front-lines.
    • Les hosties de queues plates: (literally, "the communion wafer flat-tails". Better translated as "the damn flat-tails": hostie is a mild and common Canadian-French curse) from the beaver
      Beaver
      The beaver is a primarily nocturnal, large, semi-aquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, North American Beaver and Eurasian Beaver . Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges . They are the second-largest rodent in the world...

       on the regimental badge. Seldom used within the regiment or the 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group anymore.
    • Les Vingt-Deux: the Twenty-Twos.
    • Régiment Canadien Français: literally, "French Canadian Regiment."

  • The Royal Canadian Dragoons
    The Royal Canadian Dragoons
    The Royal Canadian Dragoons is an armoured regiment of the Canadian Army. It is one of three armoured regiments in the Regular Force and forms part of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps....
    • The RCDs: taken directly from their shoulder titles.
    • Bambi: taken from their cap badge.
    • Dancing (Prancing) Goats: again a reference to their cap badge.
    • Dragoons: Shortened title.
    • Drags: reference made to the RCD in early (1920s–30s) editions of the regimental journal of The Royal Canadian Regiment, which shared the Toronto and ST. John's, Que., garrisons with the RCD
    • The Dragons: common non-service mispronunciation of the word. Known to irritate RCD troopers to no end, and thus, is sometimes used deliberately for that purpose.
    • Deer-Jumping Fairies: derogatory reference to the springbok in their badge. Usually used by Strats.
    • The Goons or Da Goons
    • Retarded Coyote Driver (RCD)
    • Re-Conditioned Drunks (RCD)

  • The Royal Canadian Regiment
    The Royal Canadian Regiment
    The Royal Canadian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment consists of four battalions, three in the Regular Force and one in the Primary Reserve...
    • The RCR: the official short title of the regiment
    • Royal Canadians
    • The Royals (incorrect, but often used colloquially by those who do not know this is more properly used to refer to The Royal Regiment of Canada
      The Royal Regiment of Canada
      The Royal Regiment of Canada is the largest army regiment in the Canadian Forces Primary Reserve. It is an infantry unit based in Toronto, Ontario, part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group....

      )
    • Shino Boys: a First World War nickname given to The RCR by soldiers of other units, noting the regiment's high standards of dress and deportment
    • Run Chicken Run: A widely repeated but highly apocryphal story has the nickname resulting from a romantic liaison between a member of the regiment and a chicken. In reality, it probably stems from the fact that the chicken is jokingly referred to by envious others as "the regimental bird." Which explanation is offered usually depends on whether or not the person asked is a member of the regiment. Chickens feature greatly in derogatory nicknames assigned to The RCR, such as Rubber Chicken Regiment, RCR Soup on Dining Hall menus, etc.
    • Coop: Used by military members to refer to the unit's battalions, i.e. 1 coop, 2 coop, 3 coop.
    • Rocking Chair Rangers
    • Chicken Fuckers
    • Retards Carrying Rifles
    • The Brasso Kings: First World War nickname mentioned in 1935 Connecting File, the regimental journal of The Royal Canadian Regiment
    • The Royal Cleaning Regiment
    • Rubber Chicken Rapers

  • The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)
    The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)
    The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry is a Primary Reserve unit of the Canadian Forces based at John W. Foote VC Armouries in Hamilton, Ontario....
    • The Rileys, from “RHLI”
    • The Rock Hudson Light Infantry

  • The Royal Montreal Regiment
    The Royal Montreal Regiment
    The Royal Montreal Regiment is a Primary Reserve Infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces based in Westmount, Montréal, Québec.-History:The Royal Montreal Regiment traces its origins to the creation of the 14th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on August 27, 1914...
    • Run Monkey Run
    • Royal Montreal Rejects: meaning that they could not get into a "better" unit.

  • Royal Newfoundland Regiment
    • The Blue Puttees: name actually limited to the first 500 volunteers of the Newfoundland Regiment in 1914, as there was only blue broadcloth available to make puttee
      Puttee
      A puttee, also spelled puttie, is the name, adapted from the Hindi patti, bandage , for a covering for the lower part of the leg from the ankle to the knee, consisting of a long narrow piece of cloth wound tightly and spirally round the leg, and serving both as a support and protection, worn...

      s

  • The Royal Regiment of Canada
    The Royal Regiment of Canada
    The Royal Regiment of Canada is the largest army regiment in the Canadian Forces Primary Reserve. It is an infantry unit based in Toronto, Ontario, part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group....
    • Royals (also used, incorrectly, to refer to The Royal Canadian Regiment
      The Royal Canadian Regiment
      The Royal Canadian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment consists of four battalions, three in the Regular Force and one in the Primary Reserve...

      )
    • The Royal Refugees of Canada
    • The Fugees: used to illustrate the high number of members of different ethnicities. Two subcategories are eastern European (Winter battalion) and African-Canadian(Summer Battalion)

  • The Royal Regina Rifles
    The Royal Regina Rifles
    The Royal Regina Rifles is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. Prior to 1982 the regiment was known as The Regina Rifle Regiment...
    • The Reginas
    • The Farmer Johns: the majority of the first members of the Regiment were farm labourers
    • The Johns: derived from “The Farmer Johns” and now the "official" unofficial nickname
  • The Royal Westminster Regiment
    The Royal Westminster Regiment
    The Royal Westminster Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces Primary Reserve. It is based in New Westminster, British Columbia at The Armouries, located at the corner of 6th and Queens....
    • The Westies
    • The Wheaties

  • The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
    The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
    The Royal Winnipeg Rifles are a Primary Reserve one-battalion infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. Nicknamed the "Little Black Devils", they are based at Minto Armouries in Winnipeg, Manitoba...
    • Little Black Devils: Infantry of the line usually wore scarlet tunics, while rifle units wore dark green—almost black—tunics. After the Battle of Fish Creek
      Battle of Fish Creek
      The Battle of Fish Creek , fought April 24, 1885 at Fish Creek, Saskatchewan, was a major Métis victory over the Dominion forces attempting to quell Louis Riel's North-West Rebellion...

       during the Northwest Rebellion of 1885, a captured Métis
      Métis people (Canada)
      The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...

       asked, "The red coats we know, but who are those little black devils?"—hence also the Latin motto
      Motto
      A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...

      : “Hosti Acie Nominati”, “named by the enemy in battle”

  • The Saskatchewan Dragoons
    • The Sask Buffoons
    • The Gap Dragons (The Gap in between Alberta and Manitoba)

  • The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
    The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
    The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada is a light infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces Primary Reserve based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The regiment is subordinate to 39 Canadian Brigade Group, Land Forces Western Area...
    • The Seafroth
    • Seafilth
    • The Gow Deeks: mispronunciation of the Scots Gaelic motto
      Motto
      A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...

       “Cuidich’n Righ”, “Help the King”
    • The Bullwinkles: based on the stag’s head of the cap badge supposedly resembling the cartoon character Bullwinkle J. Moose
      Bullwinkle J. Moose
      Bullwinkle J. Moose is a fictional character in the 1959–1964 animated television series Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show, often collectively referred to as Rocky and Bullwinkle, produced by Jay Ward and Bill Scott...

    • The Horny Stags: a derogatory reference to the stag's head cap badge

  • The Sherbrooke Hussars
    • The Sherbie Herbies
  • The South Alberta Light Horse
    The South Alberta Light Horse
    The South Alberta Light Horse, or SALH, is an armoured reconnaissance unit of the Canadian Forces Army Reserve based in Medicine Hat and Edmonton, Alberta...
    • The Sally Horse, from the “SAL” in “SALH”
    • Sally-Ho, with a play on the phrase "tally-ho
      Tally-ho
      The phrase tally-ho is a largely British phrase, used in foxhunting, shouted when a rider sees the fox.-Etymology:Tally-ho dates from around 1772, and is probably derived from the French taïaut, a cry used to excite hounds when hunting deer...

      "
    • Silly Horse
    • Super Amazing Legendary Heroes
    • Suitcase and Luggage Handlers
  • The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
    The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
    Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.They have served in the War of 1812, the Great War and World War II....
    • The Glens
    • Sand, Dust and Gravel from the “SD&G” in “SD&G Highrs” (also "Sand, Dirt and Gravel").
    • Stupid, Dumb and Gay Highlanders, also from SD&G
    • The STDs, also from "SD&G"
    • The Ladies from Hell from wearing their kilts to battle in World War II

  • The Toronto Scottish Regiment
    • The Tor Scots from “TOR SCOT”
    • The Trot Scots: rhyming nickname


Disbanded or inactive regiments

  • The Canadian Airborne Regiment
    The Canadian Airborne Regiment
    The Canadian Airborne Regiment was a Canadian Forces formation created on April 8, 1968. It was not an administrative regiment in the commonly accepted British Commonwealth sense, but rather a tactical formation manned from other regiments and branches...

     (Disbanded 6 March 1995)
    • The Regiment: the precise origin is unknown, but may come from the fact that the British 22nd Special Air Service
      Special Air Service
      Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...

       Regt is also called familiarly "The Regiment", although the Airborne was never affiliated with the SAS, but rather, The Parachute Regiment. However, that use of "The Regiment" to refer to one's own regiment amongst members is not unique, it was presumed by members of the CAR that all others would 'know' which regiment they meant.
    • The Stillborn (As the rest of the Army knew them)
    • Meat Bombs
    • Lawn Darts
    • Calling All Retards
  • 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards
    4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards
    The 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards is an inactive armoured regiment of the Canadian militia.-Lineage:The Regiment's history dates back to Ottawa in the early 1870s and its membership in Canada's militia...

     (reduced to nil strength 1964)
    • The PLUGS (As they kept plugging away)
    • Pretty Little Dancing Girls
  • the 42nd Battalion - the Royal Highlanders of Canada, CEF (WWI) (perpetuated by the Black Watch of Canada)
    • The Forty-Twas
  • the 75th Mississauga Battalion CEF (WWI) (perpetuated by the Toronto Scottish Regt., who still wear the 75th's flash on their uniform)
    • the Jolly 75th
    • Chair Borne
    • The Borne

Corps, Branch, and Nonspecific Nicknames

  • The Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
    • Part Changers: Seen as only changing parts, not making repairs.
    • The Maintainers
    • Gun Plumbers: in reference to Weapons Technicians only
    • Dirty EeMEes: jocular reference to the technicians' having the dirtiest and greasiest jobs in the army. Later reclaimed by EME technicians to describe being "dirty" in another usage of the word.
    • Les Mécanos: used in French to describe any EME technician, mechanic or otherwise.
  • CF Intelligence Branch 
    • Green Slime: green formerly being the corps colour of the Royal Canadian Intelligence Corps.
  • CF Logistics Branch
    • The Logs: taken directly from their shoulder titles: both English and French.
    • Blanket Stackers: derogatory slang taken from the British Army nickname for the Royal Logistics Corps.
    • The Paperclip Badges: from the resemblance of the two chain links in their cap badge to two linked paperclips. Sometimes referred to as "Crossed Paperclips" in reference to crossed rifles, a marksmanship badge once issued in the Canadian Army (and still issued in Army Cadets and at RMC).
    • Bin Rats: referring to the general assumption made by members of other branches that Logistics members root through the boxes of the newest and shiniest kit available, leaving the remainder for the front-line soldiers.
    • Circus Battalion: (derogatory name for any service battalion, regular or reserve). Usually employed by members to describe the lack of organization that traditionally plagues these units, i.e. They bring big tents and are staffed by clowns.
  • CF Medical Branch
    • Pecker Checkers: as soldiers tend to put things where they shouldn't.
    • Canker Mechanics: Compares the Medical Branch to other Service Trades.
  • Military Police
    Military police
    Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...

     
    • Thunder Chickens: from the branch cap badge a thunderbird
      Thunderbird (mythology)
      The Thunderbird is a legendary creature in certain North American indigenous peoples' history and culture. It is considered a "supernatural" bird of power and strength...

      .
    • Meatheads: general nickname for Military Police. There are two possible explanations: the first being the obvious derogatory meaning of the word or; a metaphorical reference to their scarlet berets. Most CF personnel seem to concur that the former is much more likely to be the origin of the name than the latter.
  • Royal Canadian Artillery
    • Herbies after a Second World War cartoon whose lead character was a gunner named Herbie. Now fallen out of common usage.
    • Thirty-Mile Snipers: a derogatory reference to their location on the battlefield
  • The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps
    Royal Canadian Armoured Corps
    The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps is the armoured branch of service of the Canadian Army, including regular force and reserve regiments.-History:...
    • Tankies
    • Tin Can Commandos
    • Zipperheads (referring to the stitches common to gunners in early model tanks)
  • The Canadian Military Engineers
    Canadian Military Engineers
    The Canadian Military Engineers is the military engineer branch of the Canadian Forces.-Mission:The mission of the Canadian Military Engineers is to contribute to the survival, mobility, and combat effectiveness of the Canadian Forces...
    • Chimos: from the Corps greeting, chimo
    • Thumper Heads (From the Beaver on their Cap Badge)
  • The Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
    Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
    The Infantry Branch is the organisation to which all Canadian infantry regiments belong. This was originally named "Canadian Infantry Corps"....
    • Crunchies: from the sound they make when vehicles drive over them. Also known as Speed Bumps for the same reason.
    • Knuckle Draggers
    • Gravel Technicians for the American penchant for specialist grades with no meaning beyond private, and the belief infantry privates should be recognized as specialized in something...
    • Body Disposal Technicians for the same reason above.
    • Grunts
    • Infantards
    • Pongos
    • SPUTS: from Self-Propelled Pop-up Targets
    • Bayonets: From their weapon of last resort
    • Boots: From their primary mode of transportation.
    • Ditch Monkeys: Due to sleeping in trenches or actual ditches.
  • The Communications and Electronics Branch
    Communications and Electronics Branch
    The Communications and Electronics Branch is a personnel branch of the Canadian Forces .-History:Major Wallace Bruce Matthews Carruthers was the founder of the Canadian Signalling Corps, forerunner of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals and the Communications and Electronics Branch of the...
    • Jimmys: nickname for signallers, from the figure of Mercury
      Mercury (mythology)
      Mercury was a messenger who wore winged sandals, and a god of trade, the son of Maia Maiestas and Jupiter in Roman mythology. His name is related to the Latin word merx , mercari , and merces...

       on their cap badge, commonly referred to as "Jimmy". Used mainly in the reserves.
  • Buddy: anyone, anytime, anywhere in the cf, is buddy.

See also

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