Originally old Cornish for 'one who lives by the sea' which pretty much includes everyone in Devon and Cornwall. It since has mutated into a perjorative term used by ignorant and ill informed non-natives (grockles and emmets). The term now almost exclusively applies to the inhabitants of Plymouth largely as they are still unafraid to use the term to describe themselves. I would like to take the time to point out that contrary to some contributions, Plymothians (as the English would prefer) or Janners are not synonymous with the inhabitants of Swilly. Most of these poor unfortunates are a sub-species of Human, let alone Janner. And a blight on that fair City.
by Buddah Dave November 5, 2010
A janner is anyone who comes from Plymouth. However not all of them put an "S" on the end of everything. I come from plymouth and do you see and added "S"'s on the end of these words? No.
by Fay August 14, 2004
As an english person who lives in Cornwall (otherwise known as an Emmet) I am of the understanding that a Janner is anyone who is born and bred in Devon and speaks with the local accent/dialect... but then what would I know as I'm from "up-country,iernaaet!!!"
by Loubeeloo September 5, 2007
by Payne_cod November 5, 2016
I believe the above have been mistaking 'janners' for swillys the sub-chav species of moronic, burberry wearing, arses that parade our streets and give all us Plymouthian inhabitants a bad name.
Now, a janner, as will be correctly stated by one who was born and lives here, is a term used by most outsiders to describe the people who live in Plymouth, Devon.
Not to be mistaken for a swilly which is actually a sub-species here and should be wiped out very quickly. For further infomation on these rodents see chav.
Now, a janner, as will be correctly stated by one who was born and lives here, is a term used by most outsiders to describe the people who live in Plymouth, Devon.
Not to be mistaken for a swilly which is actually a sub-species here and should be wiped out very quickly. For further infomation on these rodents see chav.
Swilly: Ere bey! You startin! I'm gonna ave ya, ya Goff twat.
Normal Janner: Fuck off.....(runs away)
Normal Janner: Fuck off.....(runs away)
by Jamo January 8, 2005
A word often misused to describe a Plymouth resident or a chav from Plymouth, "Janner" is actually used through out Devon and Cornwall, normally to refer to farmers or people from local families with thick Westcountry accents and traditional outlooks - comparable with the American "Hilly billy" or "Redneck".
The word is rumoured to derive from the fact that many locals are called John, but when asked their name will say "Moi namez Jaaan"
Whilst Janner is a blanket term to refer to anybody with strong local origins, a farmer can also be called a "Bez"
There is a simple test to see whether or not someone is a Janner - ask the the name of a small castle town on the Devon / Cornwall border. A non Janner will say "Launceston", while the true Janner will reply "Laanson".
The word is rumoured to derive from the fact that many locals are called John, but when asked their name will say "Moi namez Jaaan"
Whilst Janner is a blanket term to refer to anybody with strong local origins, a farmer can also be called a "Bez"
There is a simple test to see whether or not someone is a Janner - ask the the name of a small castle town on the Devon / Cornwall border. A non Janner will say "Launceston", while the true Janner will reply "Laanson".
"Has youz met ol' Jan Smith fram Oke'ampton way? Ez a roit ol' janner"
"An old Janner just drove past in his muckspreader, and now I'm covered in cow shit"
"An old Janner just drove past in his muckspreader, and now I'm covered in cow shit"
by Robert Roberts October 6, 2007
As well as the other meanings of the word janner, 'janner' can also refer to the dialect of English spoken in Plymouth. As well as pluralising everything, anything that ends in an -le sound is pronounce -oe. Anything with a hard 'u' in it (such as the f-word) is pronounced as an o (f*ck becomes 'fock' for example)
'Ere ya focking cont I'm goin Dingoes to buy a focking doeby digitoe stereo' roughly translates to 'Hello there mate. I'm going to Dingles to buy a Dolby Digital stereo'.
by Dr Weaver March 2, 2005