north of the border
Above the line
North of the border means in or to the country lying north of the speaker's location.
In American usage, it refers to Canada: Our neighbors north of the border have universal healthcare.
In English usage, it means Scotland.
The phrase implies a certain foreignness or difference while acknowledging proximity.
maple
Sap-yielding hardwood tree
- poutineGravy-soaked fries with curds
- MountiesCanada's national police
- OttawaCanada's seat of government
hockey · Tim Hortons · beaver · loonie · toque · Quebec · Toronto · Vancouver · Montreal · Alberta
Highlands
Named elevated regions
- EdinburghScotland's seat of government
- GlasgowScotland's most populous city
- haggisScottish offal pudding
tartan · kilt · Scots · bagpipes · whisky · Hadrian's Wall · Caledonia · loch · thistle · Burns
U.S.-Canada border geography
north of the borderstateside
In mainland America
down south · English · American · Yankee
north, border, northern, northerly, northward, northwards, northerner, northernmost, bordered