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give'r
DCHP-3 (Mar 2023)
Spelling variants:giv'er
1v. — Sports, Informal
to train, play or compete with maximum effort.
Type: 4. Culturally Significant — It is unclear whether give'r, sometimes spelled giv'er, is a Canadianism either in origin or frequency, but some consider it essential Canadian slang (see the Canadian Energy link below). Chart 1 confirms increased frequency of give'r in Canada. There is some evidence that suggests its origins as a hockey cliché (see the 2001 quotation) but people in a variety of sports use it, whether that be motocross (see the 2004 quotation), soccer (see the 2007 quotation), mountain biking (see the 2011 quotation), downhill skiing (see the 2017 quotation) or rowing (see the 2022 quotation).
Quotations
2001
Strap a helmet on Alexa, move her to a smelly locker room and she'd undoubtedly have added that the caucus has to "giv'er 110 per cent" and "take it one game at time" because "our backs are against the wall."
2004
"These guys are the best in the country and have done well all over, but I'm just going to giv 'er. I know they're the fastest guys and the guys in the top 10 are in their late 20s and 30s and have more experience than me, but I know I can ride with them."
2007
Women's recreational soccer kicks off there every week and it's free for women looking to stay in shape and just have great time.
"It's really, really fun and you get to just give'r," she says. "I get breathless and can't walk for a few days and I'm always covered in all sorts of interesting bruises."
2011
These trails, buffed lovingly by the Kootenay Columbia Trail Society, offer a combined 4.5 kilometres of single track and involve 120 metres of climbing and 335 metres of descent.
This makes for a race with some pedaling to favour the physically fit but enough downhill to require technical skill, speed and a good dose of “give’r.”
2017
And then there's Troll's signature lift: a two-kilometre-long red T-bar. It pokes along and deposits skiers and snowboarders at the top of scores of family-friendly runs. Kids such as Eli give'r down Astrid's Alley, named in honour of Sinclair's mom.
2v. — Western Canada, Informal.
to party hard, i.e. ingest a lot of intoxicants.
Type: 4. Culturally Significant — This meaning of give'r has seen a surge in popularity in the 2000s, esp. in Western Canada, in large part thanks to its use in the 2003 cult classic movie FUBAR directed by Michael Dowse, written by Dave Lawrence and set in Calgary, Alberta. However, as the 1989, 2001 and 2002 quotations attest, this meaning existed in the Western Canadian lexicon prior to the film's release.
Quotations
1989
Part of the explosiveness of the night was due to the crowd, 12,000 strong and ready to get down and give'r. Well lubricated (the collective blood alcohol level was about .10) and given to wild fits of airpunching, the masses were a-buzz with electricity from the minute they made it through the security frisk at the front door. Christmas time, no school, no work - awwwllllrighttt!!! Time to rock!
2001
The Banned Joes are a versatile bluegrass band and a favorite of the fans. They have a unique brand of bluegrass and their new recording, GIVE'R, is winning rave reviews.
2002
Happily taking the Fubar T-shirt, the guy raises it in the air and shouts "Just Give'r!" while exiting the scene. Obviously a lapsed headbanger.
Based on an idea Lawrence had in a bar in northern B.C., where he and Spence were working as welder's helpers on a pipeline, Fubar lives in the tradition of Spinal Tap, an improvised fictional story posing as a documentary. They chose the mockumentary format for one reason.
2002
Proving it's just as "rad," the NPA announced that it supports an event called DiverCity held in August and sponsored by Labatts. But do they like to party? Cuz if this election has taught us one thing, it's that no matter what problems Vancouver faces--be it homelessness, no late-night transit, drug addiction or poverty-- sometimes you've just got to give'r. By the way, if this paper came with headphones, you'd be hearing a chorus of high-fives and whiskey howls right now.
2004
"They're trying to get around the law. That's not original. But I think they should have a choice, so giddyup. It depends on the clientele, too. If they feel they need smoking, then giv'er. But there's no question people are dying of cigarettes and we have an ageing population, so more are going to be dying of it."
References
- Canadian Energy • 10 Canadian Slang Words
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