Canadians respond after American’s viral post mocks loonie and toonie names

An X user, @anthraxp1mp, posted on Sept. 23 that they had just learned Canadians call their coins loonies and toonies, ridiculing the names. The post had drawn more than 2.5 million views, 1,500 comments and 5,200 reposts.

Canadians from across the country, along with some users abroad, filled the replies in defence of the coin names. Some commenters contrasted the colours of Canadian banknotes with U.S. currency, while others made jokes involving the word “loon.” The loonie has been in circulation in Canada since 1987.

@anthraxp1mp later said calling the coins loonies and toonies was “actually really cool and mature,” while asking people to stop sending alleged death threats. The report said it was difficult to find comments using such aggressive language among the visible replies.