Newfoundland Sayings And What They Mean Cheat Sheet

Here is a comprehensive list of Newfoundland sayings and quotes, categorized by their type. Your perfect little cheat sheet for all those come from away’s heading on over to The Rock. You can also visit our popular post on nothing but funny Newfoundland sayings which are a hoot to learn and use.

Table of Contents

Funny Sayings

“I dies at you!” – You’re really funny.
“Stay where you’re to till I comes where you’re at.” – Wait there, I’ll come to you.
“Lord tunderin’ Jesus!” – An expression of surprise or disbelief.
“Flat out like a lizard drinking.” – Very busy.
“Like trying to put butter on a cat’s arse with a hot knitting needle.” – A task that’s extremely difficult or impossible.
“Gone where the ducks wear mitts.” – Gone completely crazy.
“The face on ya like a boiled boot!” – You look unhappy or grumpy.

Serious Sayings

“Long may your big jib draw!” – May you have good fortune for a long time.
“Best kind!” – That’s great or excellent.
“Who knit ya?” – Who are your parents or where are you from?
“As sure as there is shit in a cat.” – Absolutely certain.

Mean Sayings

“Crooked as sin.” – Very dishonest or corrupt.
“He’s not worth the powder to blow him to hell.” – He’s worthless or not worth the effort.
“The arse is gone out of ‘er.” – It’s all gone to hell.
“You’re driving me cracked.” – You’re making me crazy.

Everyday Sayings

“How ya gettin’ on?” – How’s it going?
“What y’at?” – What are you doing?
“Yes b’y!” – A versatile term of agreement or excitement.
“Get on the go.” – To get going or to have a good time.
“Come from away (CFA).” – Refers to someone who isn’t from Newfoundland.

Regional Sayings

“Slue.” – Goodbye; see you later (Gander-area).
“Draw-latching.” – Loafing around (Twillingate).
“Some day on clothes.” – Nice sunny day with a gentle breeze (Gander-area).
“The hens are doing some clucking.” – The women are talking a lot (Gander-area).

Cultural Sayings

“Deadly.” – Really good, almost to the point of being dangerously good.
“Loves it.” – I love it.
“Shag it.” – Forget it.
“How’s ya gettin’ on me old cock?” – How are you doing, my friend?

These sayings reflect the rich cultural tapestry of Newfoundland, shaped by its history and the diverse influences of its settlers. They capture the humor, resilience, and unique linguistic creativity of Newfoundlanders.