Lexicon
Welcome to the Vancouver Lexicon. Its purpose is to pin down the patois of the City of Vancouver by recording its toponyms, nicknames, slang terms, personalities, places, and other Van-centric things.
Legendary Restaurant Industry Hang-Out Closes After 24 Years
"If ever a moment of silence was deservedly observed in the restaurant world, it was when Gyoza King closed..."
The Iconic Structure at East 6th Avenue and Clark Drive
"My uncle rocked a hand-drawn East Van Cross on his t-shirt back in 1972."
Breathtaking BC Journeys 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."
How Vancouverites Used to Drink When It Really Was a No Fun City
‘If you think Vancouver is a restrictive bummer now, you should be glad you weren't trying to have fun in the bottle club era!”
BC's First TV Bad Boy Was a Villainous, Shit-Disturbing Style Icon
"My manager at work is a bit of a Relic. He keeps scheduling me to work brunch even though I told him I have yoga.."
What It's Called When Affections for Local Wine Trumps All
“My Valley Palate parents just came back from a trip to Italy saying they didn’t care for the wines…”
The Mythical Beer Creature That Haunts The Woods of Cascadia
"The forest is pretty thick around here. I wonder if we'll get lucky and spot a Wild Rainier?"
When You Get Caught in West Van's Nightmare Traffic Scenario
"Hey, yeah...sorry...I'm going to be late. I'm stuck in ferry traffic near the top of Taylor Wait."
The 104 Year Old Shop with Its Days Numbered on the Edge of Chinatown
"After Tosi's finally leaves the block, then what? More condos that no one can afford?"
Pulling Double Duty as Public Transportation and Cheap Cruise Since 1977
"Dude, I know your condo is just a SeaBus ride away but it might as well be the fucking moon..."
How Vancouver Tries To Protect Its Spectacular Views from Indifferent Developers
“Protecting a view corridor is just one of the many ways in which City Hall can take a brave stand against the developers who bankroll them…”
The White Bicycles One Occasionally Sees on the Side of the Road
"I hope with all these new bike lanes we will see fewer ghost bikes."
The Horrible Stench Of Death That Hits East Van In The Summer
"We were thinking about doing a backyard BBQ but the chickenstink is on full tilt today..."
The Section Of The West Coast Exempt From Provincial Fire Bans
"We booked a campground reservation in the interior before they announced the fire ban, so we're heading to the Fog Zone instead..."
The Long, Slow Train That Divides Strathcona Several Times A Day
"Sorry, I'm going to be late. I'm stuck behind the Wrath of Strath..."
The Archaic Local Term For The Iconic 'Canadian Dinner Jacket'
"Check out that headbanger rocking the Surrey Dinner Jacket..."
Strathcona Laneway That Was Once Totally Littered With Cow Shit
"You can still see the remains of the old cow barns along Cow Shit Alley in Strathcona..."
The Sharp, Sparkly Stucco That Was Once Common In Vancouver
"This ugly old scar on my arm is from wiping out against my Nana’s bottle dash house in East Van."
Mythic Resort North Of Sooke That's Been 'Pointless' For 65 Years
"The point of Point No Point is totally beside the point..."
The Guy On Canada's Far Side Who Warns Us Of Inclement Weather
"Frankie's saying we're going to have to order some Chinese food and charge our phones tonight, so..."
The Iconic Military Surplus Store Opened By Ex-Soldiers In 1947
"How are we going to prepare for the zombie apocalypse now that the 3 Vets is closing?"
Graphic Remnants Of Old Ads Found In Demolitions, Redevelopment
"Did you see that cool ghost sign that just appeared in the alley off of Gore Street?"
Ubiquitous Nickname For ICBC's Mandatory 'New Driver' Sticker
"Dude, watch out for that black Golf weaving in and out of its lane. There's a Noob Sticker on the back..."
The Sound That Tells Vancouverites It Is Time To Break For Lunch
"It’s so much fun seeing the startled expressions on tourist faces down by Canada Place when the noon horns sound."
The Name For Those Frustrated By Others Who Block New Housing
"It would be great if YIMBYs didn't have to work three jobs so they could show up in counter-protest against these NIMBYs, who apparently have time for anything..."
How Langara College Students Lovingly Refer To Their Own School
"Before I went UBC, I spent two years adrift in the wilderness out at Langri-La."
What Any Snowfall Is Called In Vancouver, Whether Flurry Or Storm
"Despite the snowpocalypse, what snowballs could be made had to be used twice."
Antiquated UK Slang Term For Military Personnel Still In Use In BC
"The bar in Esquimalt was loaded up with freshly paid pongos last night and things nearly got out of hand..."
