Dictionary of Island Terms

Welcome to the Dictionary of island Terms. The purpose of this project is to pin down the patois of Vancouver Island by recording its countless toponyms, nicknames, phenomena, slang, personalities and places. The A-Z is ever-growing with weekly updates added to our front page.

Dictionary of Island Terms Tofino

The Legendary Tofino Restaurant at the End of the Canadian Road

"The first thing I do whenever I get to Tofino is hit SoBo for some Tofu Pockets and a big slice of Key Lime Pie..."

Dictionary of Island Terms Gulf Islands

The Breathtaking, Quintessential Gulf Island Journey Some Love, Others Hate

"Hi Mom. I made the ferry just in time but it's a milk run so it's probably best that you start dinner without me."

Dictionary of Island Terms Victoria

The Colloquial Abbreviation of an Iconic Victoria Restaurant

"When I was at my poorest I survived on bottomless soup and focaccia bread at Pag's..."

Dictionary of Island Terms Victoria

Victoria's Most Notorious Property for Half a Century

"I used to buy weed on the 7th floor of View Towers until one night I found a pool of blood in the elevator..."

Dictionary of Island Terms Ucluelet

What's the Ubiquitous Nickname of This Small Island Town?

"Even though it's small and isolated on the edge of the continent, I'd totally move to Ukee tomorrow if I could..."

Dictionary of Island Terms Victoria

In BC, This Term Stirs Both Nationalist Enthusiasms and Yearnings For Alpine Tranquility

"To avoid all the crowds during the Olympics I went across the border and camped in the Olympics..."

Dictionary of Island Terms Victoria

The Cliché That Still Paints Victoria as a Stifling Place to Live

"I know more musicians, skateboarders, artists and cooks than newlyweds and nearly deads, but whatever..."

A-Z

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