Well attestedNamed from the place
Newfoundland speed bump
noun · first attested 1990s
Moose are not native to Newfoundland; the island's herd descends from a handful released a century ago.
Canadian humorous term for a moose standing in the road.
48.5417°N -56.1250°W · Q48335
Record
- Relationship
- Named from the place
- Confidence
- Well attestedThe place link is the standard scholarly account.
- Attested
- 1990s
- Part of speech
- noun
Explanations here are written for this atlas. Dictionary text is not copied; the sources are linked so the claim can be checked.
- Step 1
Newfoundland
- In English
Newfoundland speed bump
Moose were introduced to the island in 1878 and again in 1904, and with no wolves left to hunt them they multiplied into a population of well over a hundred thousand. Collisions are frequent enough that the province posts warnings, clears roadside brush, and has faced a class action over them. The joke was printed on posters sold to tourists by the early 1990s.
Canada
All 22 entries 21 more words from Canada
LabradorThe dog is named for a northern coast.LabradoralbertosaurThe dinosaur is named for a Canadian province.AlbertaThousand Island dressingThe dressing is named for an archipelago on the St Lawrence.Thousand IslandsAlberta clipperOne weather term, two borrowings: a Canadian province and a racing sailing ship.AlbertaAppalachian dulcimerIt is not a dulcimer: real dulcimers are struck, and this one is plucked.Appalachian MountainsCanada gooseIt is the Canada goose, never the Canadian goose, and many never see Canada.CanadaCanadian baconIn Canada it is just back bacon; the country in the name is an American addition.Canadago to HalifaxA polite way to say hell that points at a real town instead.Halifax