Reason why Canadians are using ‘elbows up’ in response to Donald Trump’s threats

You may have seen Canadian people brandishing signs reading 'elbows up' of late — but what does it mean?

Canada has been embroiled with a tariff war with America in recent weeks, with Donald Trump threatening 25 percent tariff hikes on Canadian goods brought into the US.

In fact, things got so heated between the neighboring countries that at one point Trump said he was implementing 50 percent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum in response to Ontario Premier Doug Ford saying he was bringing in a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to the US.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened tariffs on energy exports (Katherine KY Cheng/Getty Images)

The threats caused chaos in the US stock market, but both Trump and Ford have since backed down. Trump's initial 25 percent tariff hike on Canadian steel and aluminum did come into force today (March 12), however.

As a way of avoiding the unpopular hikes, Trump has suggested that Canada become America's 51st state — an idea that's gone down like a lead balloon with both Canadian officials and residents.

With all of the above in mind, Canadians have proven that it's not a country to be messed with and have been stating 'elbows up' to one another.

This phrase garnered even more attention over the weekend after Shrek star and Canadian actor Mike Myers mouthed it to Saturday Night Live viewers while wearing a t-shirt stating that 'Canada is not for sale'.

See the moment here:

Elsewhere, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used the phrase during his farewell speech on Sunday.

He said: "We’re a country that will be diplomatic when we can, but fight when we must. Elbows up!"

But where does such a saying come from? Apparently it's sport-related.

As per The Independant, Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe threw his elbows up during games in a bid to defend himself — and Canada is currently trying to defend itself against America.

Backing this up, Redditors took to the social media platform in recent days to discuss the matter.

In a thread, an Indian resident asked what 'elbows up' means, to which someone replied: "Hockey reference. When you learn to play hockey you’re taught to keep your 'elbows up' as a defence mechanism- signalling you’re ready to protect or to fight back."

"It's a hockey reference about defending yourself from another player," echoed another.

A third went on to quip: "If you encounter a Canadian saying, it’s most likely from hockey, curling or weather."