Hoser
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Hoser is both a slang term and a derogatory term, originating from Canada and used primarily by those imitating Canadians.[1] It is not often used by Canadians, but it is sometimes used as "typical" Canadian slang by others, unlike the expression "eh?" used frequently by Canadians. The term "hoser" gained popularity from the comedic skits by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas (also known as Bob and Doug McKenzie) in SCTV’s "The Great White North" segments.[2]
Origins
Like the very similar term hosehead, the term may have referred to farmers of the Canadian prairies, who would siphon gasoline from farming vehicles with a hose during the Great Depression of the 1930s.[citation needed] The expression has since been converted to the verb "to hose" as in to trick, deceive, or steal; e.g., "That card-shark sure hosed me."
Another theory regarding the origins of "hoser" is that it refers to an amateur hockey tradition that losing teams hose down the ice to smooth it for future use. This before the invention of the Zamboni.
'Hosed' has an additional meaning of getting drunk. For example: "Let's go out and get hosed." Another possible origin is derived from hockey slang. Before ice resurfacers, the losing team in a hockey game would have to hose down the rink after a game. Thus the term "hoser" being synonymous with "loser".
A hoser's flannel shirt may also be referred to as a "Kenora dinner jacket". Some regional variations of this term also exist, usually substituting a hoser-stereotyped local community's name in place of Kenora.[3] This also could have originated from the movie "Strange Brew".
See also
International:
References
- ^ Rawlings-Way, Charles; Karneef, Natalie (2007). Toronto. Lonely Planet Publications. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-74059-835-4. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
- ^ Raymond, Eric S (1999). The new hacker's dictionary. MIT Press. p. 249. ISBN 0-262-18178-9. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
- ^ "True North strong and plaid". Globe & Mail. Retrieved 2006-09-23.