Canuck: A slang term or nickname for Canadian; -an
Americanism, first recorded use in 1835 referring to French Canadians; now
refers to any Canadian Yankee: the nickname for Americans
Johnny Canuck
Johnny Canuck, “born” in 1869, began life as a political
cartoon of Canadians who resisted Uncle Sam’s (American political cartoon
figure) bullying. During World War ll, a high school student, Leo Bachle,
re-invented Johnny Canuck in "Operation Canuck," a graphic narrative as
Canada’s super-agent for Canadian security and defender from the Nazi
menace.
In 1975, a comic-book artist, Richard Comely, recreated
Johnny Canuck as Captain Canuck: a national personification of stalwart,
honest, and upstanding Canadians who avoid conflict if possible.
In 1995, Canada Post issued Canadian postage stamps
celebrating Canada’s comic-book superheroes. Johnny Canuck was depicted as
he appeared in the comics, dressed in a flight jacket, goggles, leather
headgear and boots.
Originally, Vancouver’s hockey team was called The
Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific Coast Hockey League who won the
Stanley Cup in 1915.
In 1970, this fine team changed its name to The Vancouver
Canucks, members of the National Hockey League (NHL). (Quebec had the
Montreal Canadiens.)
The use of “Canuck” by Canadians themselves is
affectionate and patriotic. We know who we are. We Are Canucks!
Links:
Johnny Canuck at the Canadian Encyclopaedia
Canucks Vocabulary
Matching Quiz 1
Canucks Vocabulary Matching Quiz 2
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