A cherished Canadian rallying cry is now in the official lexicon: Oxford University Press on Tuesday added “elbows up” to the Oxford English Dictionary.
The hockey term, popularized by Gordie Howe, became synonymous with the surge of patriotism that fuelled the Buy Canadian movement last year when U.S. President Donald Trump launched a trade war against Canada and threatened to make Canada the 51st American state.
Howe was known for his physical and aggressive style of play with a defensive stance that held his elbows raised behind him and earned him the nickname Mr. Elbows.
The term is “used to indicate willingness to (aggressively) defend oneself or fight back. Frequently as a modifier,” the Oxford English Dictionary says.
What other Canadian phrases are included?
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A term from another beloved Canadian sport has entered the dictionary. The term “cashspiel,” which comes from curling and means “a competition or tournament held for cash prizes,” was also included in Tuesday’s update to the dictionary.
The term “point form,” which Oxford University Press describes as “chiefly Canadian,” has also been included. The term refers to “a format in which written information is presented in a list or series of concise statements.”
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The Cree term “kokum,” which means a grandmother or any elderly woman, was included in the dictionary Tuesday as well. It is also used as a familiar title or form of address.
Two other terms identified as “North American” were added as well. The term “grunt” refers to “a dessert consisting of stewed fruit with a biscuit or dough topping, typically cooked on a stovetop rather than baked in an oven.”
The term “kitty-corner,” which means “situated diagonally opposite someone or something,” was also added.
Does it mean ‘pretend not to capitulate’?
Congratulations Ben! You win moron of the month award. That’s 6 months in a row donkey
Nice to see the Oxford English Dictionary interfering in a foreign nations politics.
Its not a word so that’s pathetic.
Elbows up is when a population is so enamored by a leader that they completely disregard reality.
We know that bootlicking is in the dictionary. That is what Carney immediately did after the election with Trump.
Why are they adding cree words to the ENGLISH dictionary
Only cheeseball Carney and his lover Myers would make up such a childish, foolish term.
I buy Canadian whenever I can, especially when I see a USA made product beside it. Sticking it to the US which broke a trade agreement brings a smile to my face.
@Derek Hunter – good for you. Nobody cares.
@Anonymous. I certainly won’t buy “Canadian” just to do so. It must be better quality and cheaper for me to consider it.
I am honestly proud I never went Elbows Up. I never boycotted the USA, still drink Bourbon, and travel there routinely I won’t accept drivel from Carney on what it means to be “Canadian “ from a guy with 4 passports.
Carney and his washed up pal Mike Myers went Elbows Up together. More like Carney went balls deep.
Carney went from Elbows Up in the election to bootlicking Trump shortly after. Carney is a total phoney. All hat and no cattle
Why put a video of the bumbling Trudeau up? The vapid clown couldn’t talk about success because he had none.An absolute fool.
Only right wing azzholes seem to think it’s better to buy foreign stuff than Canadian and that’s very funny.
Does it mean “to do nothing” like it means here?
What a complete waste of time. The elbows up movement failed. Even Trudeau goes down to the US some even say he lives there now.
Elbows up is a neofascist nationalist slogan.
Must be April 1st again.
Wow good News economy is way better now thanks Oxford
And Trump be so jealous now
You know, there was a little Austrian painter who put his one elbow up…
Canada filled with idiots . Ben is a prime example of delusional.
Ben you have a warped sense of humour
And a delusional thought process
This is pathetic and embarrassing
Canada blows now…
Gay
Of course it is. Canada Strong thanks to the Carney government which refuses to cave to the Trump administrations demands to annex us!
“Elbows Up ” A former hockey term revived as a political slogan to sucker millions of brainwashed Canadians into voting for the same incompetent, corrupt Liberal Government that has been holding power for over a decade
They also need to add MAGANUK. A Canadian traitor who worships Trump and will go against its own country. They use misinformation to push their agenda, like their cult Orange leader. Elbow up!
Old MacDonald
June 30, 2026 at 9:59 am
Hilarious how it’s the rednecks that apparently think “buying local” is bad.
They hate their own farmers judging by the idiotic comments about it.
Does buying local include trying to import everything from China?
Btw American products are a lot better and cheaper but thanks for coming out.
Phuzck Trudeau/Carney should also be added.
Hilarious how it’s the rednecks that apparently think “buying local” is bad.
They hate their own farmers judging by the idiotic comments about it.
@Dave: You are nuts. Give one example….
Elbows up or is it Canada Makes America Great Again? Which one is it? Super confusing now a days with all the flip flopping.
No surprise
They have been basterdizing the English language in order to push agendas for a long time now