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Janner is an English regional nickname associated with Plymouth both as a noun and as an adjective for the local accent and dialect. In 1987 Cyril Tawney, in his book Grey Funnel Lines, described its meaning as "a person from Devon", deriving from Cousin Jan (the Devon form of John), but "more particularly in naval circles anyone from the Plymouth area".[1] The term was also used for members of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment.[2]

From March 1902 until November 1905 the Devon and Exeter Gazette ran a series "The Talk at Uncle Tom Cobleigh's Club", partly comic, partly serious, written in the Devonshire dialect. A second series was created by A. J. Coles and published in the (Illustrated) Western Weekly News from July 1905 until the paper ceased publication in October 1939. The series was continued in the Western Times and Gazette until 1964. Both series included the character Jan Stewer (a character from Widecombe Fair) who recounted his experiences of the modern world in Devon dialect.[3] Coles's mother was from Willand in Devon. The first series sparked a popular correspondence from Devon natives around the world written in affectionate[clarification needed] dialect as recollected at the time, the character even appearing on the BBC in the 1920s.

'Alf a pound of flour and lard,
Makes a lovely clacker,
Just enough for you and me,
Oh Brother Janner,
Oh 'ow 'appy uz shall be!,
When uz gets to the Westcountry!,
Whur the oggies grows on trees,
Oh Brother Janner.

—A version of an Oggie Song from Devonport, c. 1951.[4]

Because of the changes in the local economy in Plymouth over the course of the 1980s and 1990s, from the Royal Navy being the major employer to Plymouth being a university city housing a large number of students from outside the city, the term has developed an additional secondary pejorative sense describing the locals.[citation needed]

The Member of Parliament for Plymouth, Devonport, Alison Seabeck, showed her ignorance of the term in 2005 when, while still a candidate, she was asked by the local paper: "What is a Janner?" The Express on Sunday reported her reply:

The flustered candidate wailed: "I don't know. You're not going to print this, are you?" Unfortunately they did. The answer is a "Plymothian".[5]

For many years there was a cartoon in the Plymouth Evening Herald entitled 'The Janners'. Many pamphlets circulate with mischievous amusing and sometimes erotic anthologies and there are short dictionaries of Janner vocabulary, e.g. the Janner TextBook.[6]

The term features in the football team Plymouth Argyle supporters' chants, particularly its variant on the folksong Oggy Land,[7] and in 2010 it was used in a television advertisement for Aviva Car Insurance in which Paul Whitehouse as a Plymouth Argyle supporter driving to an away match exhorts a potential passenger to "geddon you Janner".[8][9] In April 2012 a new rugby league trophy called the Barum Janner cup was introduced for competition matches between Barnstaple's North Devon Raiders and the Plymouth Titans. The cup's name is a combination of the nicknames for inhabitants of the two places.[10]

See also

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References

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Janner

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from Grokipedia
Janner is a regional term originating in southwest , specifically denoting a native or long-term resident of Plymouth in , as well as the distinctive local accent and associated with the area. The word encapsulates the cultural identity of Plymouth's approximately 265,000 inhabitants (as of 2025), a port city with deep maritime roots, where the term is often embraced locally to signify community pride and shared heritage. The etymology of janner remains debated, with one widely accepted theory linking it to "Cousin Jan," the traditional Devonian form of addressing "John," possibly reflecting historical rural and seafaring social customs in the region. An alternative explanation proposes origins in an old Cornish term for "one who lives by the sea," aligning with Plymouth's coastal location and proximity to across the River Tamar. First documented in the 1960s, the term has evolved from broader usage to primarily signify Plymouth identity, appearing in the as a and with occasional derogatory connotations when used by outsiders from neighboring counties like or Dorset. The Janner dialect, part of the broader variant, features phonetic traits such as glottal stops and the omission of 't' sounds—evident in pronunciations like "wa'er" for ""—alongside a rich lexicon of unique . Common expressions include "oright?" as a casual meaning "alright?", "alright me lover?" for friendly address, "dimpsy" referring to twilight or , and "goppin'" for something disgusting or foul. This vernacular is prominently showcased in local media, Plymouth Argyle football chants (such as adaptations of the folk song ""), and community events, underscoring its role in fostering a sense of belonging amid the city's naval and industrial history.

Etymology and Origins

Historical Roots

The term "Janner" derives from "Cousin Jan," the Devon dialect form of "John," which served as a generic reference for local men in the 19th century, particularly in seafaring communities around Plymouth. In his 1987 book Grey Funnel Lines: Traditional Songs from the Royal Navy, folk singer and naval historian Cyril Tawney described "Janner" as meaning "a person from ," deriving from "Cousin Jan," but "more particularly in naval circles to mean a local inhabitant of Plymouth." Separately, the term emerged in military contexts to denote recruits from , especially those from Plymouth, within the . A possible Cornish influence is suggested by theories linking "Janner" to an older term meaning "one who lives by the sea," aligning with Plymouth's prominent coastal location and longstanding heritage. The term's earliest documented printed appearance is in Tawney's 1987 publication, though it predates this in ; subsequent military records, such as the British Army's Soldier magazine from 1981, reference "Janners" as members of the patrolling in . This ties into broader dialects, where "Jan" functions as a common for male names in regional speech.

Evolution in Devon and Cornwall

The term "Janner" emerged in the mid-20th century as a colloquial reference to people from , particularly those associated with coastal or maritime communities, before becoming closely tied to Plymouth amid the city's expansion as a major naval hub. Drawing from the etymological base of "Cousin Jan," the dialect form of John, the word reflected broader identities linked to seafaring life. The records its earliest evidence from 1964 and defines it as a native or inhabitant of Plymouth (or more widely of , especially if born near the sea), highlighting this regional scope for early uses, often encompassing individuals born near the sea in and adjacent areas. Plymouth's growth as a port, centered on since the late 17th century, drove the term's narrowing to a Plymouth-specific by the mid-20th century, especially within naval contexts where it denoted local dockyard workers or residents. In Tawney's 1987 Grey Funnel Lines, a collection of naval , "Janner" is described as originally meaning "a person from " but "more particularly in naval circles to mean a local inhabitant of Plymouth," underscoring how the city's industrial and military prominence reshaped its usage amid migration and wartime activity. bombings devastated Plymouth, yet the post-war naval presence sustained the term's colloquial spread in the and , even as dockyard employment began to wane, embedding it in local identity. Regional variations persisted into the late 20th century, with broader application in for coastal dwellers before the term consolidated around Plymouth by the , influenced by shared maritime heritage across the Tamar River. One theory posits a Cornish linguistic root meaning "one who lives by the ," reflecting cross-border exchanges in and communities. Key cultural markers, such as variants of the "Oggie Song" referencing "Janner" in Devonport naval settings during the , helped popularize it within local , tying it to traditions like pasty sellers serving miners and sailors. This evolution mirrored Plymouth's transition from a general port to a distinct urban center, where the term now proudly signifies resilience amid economic shifts.

Linguistic Features

Phonology and Accent

The Janner accent, spoken primarily in Plymouth, exhibits distinct phonological traits as a variety of , marked by its retention of historical features amid urban influences from the city's naval heritage. A defining characteristic is its rhotic pronunciation, where the /r/ sound is articulated in all positions, including post-vocalic contexts, resulting in words like "car" being realized as /kɑːɹ/ rather than the non-rhotic /kɑː/ of . This rhoticity, common across dialects, lends the accent a robust, rolling quality that distinguishes it from non-rhotic southern English varieties. Consonant features include , where the /t/ sound is often replaced by a [ʔ] in syllable-final positions (e.g., "" as "wa'er"), and occasional omission or of /t/, contributing to the accent's rhythmic flow. These traits, while shared with other urban varieties, reflect Plymouth's blend of rural speech and external influences. Vowel systems in the Janner accent feature notable shifts, including the characteristic realizations, where words such as "" may variably approximate /fɑːɹm/ or, in some speakers, show partial leveling toward /fɜːɹm/ influenced by rhotic environments—though mergers of the START and NURSE lexical sets are more typical in rural areas than urban Plymouth. Diphthongs undergo monophthongization, simplifying forms like /eɪ/ in "face" to /eː/ and /aʊ/ in "mouth" to /oː/, which contributes to a smoother, less gliding prosody compared to standard southern English. These vowel patterns, while shared with broader speech, appear moderated in Janner due to Plymouth's cosmopolitan influences, resulting in less extreme fronting of back vowels than in rural dialects. Prosodically, the accent employs a distinctive , characterized by elongated vowels and a melodic quality, often with upward inflections at sentence ends similar to Irish influences. Intonation typically features a rising terminal contour in yes/no questions, enhancing the accent's approachable quality, though declarative statements maintain or falling pattern with emphasized rhotic releases. These prosodic elements reinforce the Janner accent's association with Plymouth identity, serving as a key marker of local belonging amid the city's diverse demographic.

Vocabulary and Slang

The , spoken primarily in Plymouth and surrounding areas of , features a distinctive influenced by naval history, Cornish roots, and local . Many terms reflect everyday interactions, greetings, and expressions of agreement or quantity, often shortened or altered for brevity. These lexical items are documented in regional glossaries and media compilations, providing insight into their practical use in casual conversation. Common greetings include "orright?" or its variant "alright me lover?", both serving as informal ways to ask if someone is well, frequently used among acquaintances in social settings. Similarly, "cheers 'en" functions as a versatile farewell or expression of thanks, akin to "cheers then," uttered quickly after transactions or departures. Terms of endearment and address are prominent, such as "burd" for a woman, derived from the slang "bird" but softened in local usage, and "bey" for a man, possibly a phonetic shortening of "boy" with affectionate connotations. An older equivalent, "maid," refers to a young woman and stems from traditional West Country dialect, still heard in intergenerational speech. Interrogative phrases like "where's it to?" simplify "where is it?" to inquire about locations, commonly employed when navigating the city or seeking items. For emphasis on quantity, "helluva" means "a great deal of," originating from "hell of a" but abbreviated in everyday talk, as in describing a large crowd or effort. Affirmative responses feature "ideal," signaling agreement or approval, much like "ideal" in the sense of perfect, often said to confirm plans. Food-related slang includes "oggie," a term for a Cornish pasty, borrowed from Cornish "hogen" meaning a baked pastry, historically carried by miners and sailors for meals. From the naval era, phrases like "up the line" denote inland or rural areas away from the coast, reflecting sailors' perspectives on Plymouth's geography. Another historical expression, "fockin' mentoe," translates to "extremely good" or exciting, with "mentoe" derived from "mental" to indicate something wildly enjoyable, and "fockin'" as a softened from naval . Additional examples encompass "geddon," an encouragement or greeting like "get on with it" or "come on," used in supportive contexts such as . "Proper job" praises a task well done, echoing Cornish influences on quality workmanship. Local place names are abbreviated, such as "demport" for Devonport, a dockyard , highlighting familiarity. These terms, while phonetic in the Janner accent—often with elongated vowels—emphasize relational and practical communication in daily life.

Usage and Identity

As a Demonym

"Janner" serves as a denoting a native or long-term resident of Plymouth, , particularly those with deep roots in the city's maritime traditions. This usage underscores a sense of identity tied to the , with many associating it with the resilience and spirit fostered by generations of shipbuilders, sailors, and dockworkers. In everyday self-identification, "Janner" is commonly embraced as a of local , often heard in casual conversations like "I'm a proper Janner" to affirm one's Plymouth origins. This expression appears frequently at community events, such as the annual Janner Aid charity gathering, where residents celebrate through local entertainment, sports, and fundraising, reinforcing collective belonging. Public figures, including Plymouth's MP , have voiced personal attachment, stating, "I am proud to be a Janner," highlighting its role in fostering civic unity. Surveys indicate broad acceptance, with around 72% of locals identifying with the term and 79% viewing it as non-offensive in neutral settings. Demographically, "Janner" typically applies to individuals born and raised in Plymouth or the surrounding area, emphasizing lifelong ties to the region rather than transient residency. It often includes those who relocated at a young age but excludes recent migrants without established local connections, preserving the term's association with authentic heritage. While some extend it inclusively to "adopted" residents who embrace Plymouth's culture, the core usage remains rooted in birthplace and upbringing. In modern neutral contexts, "Janner" features in local promotions that celebrate community warmth, such as initiatives highlighting the welcoming "Janner hospitality" in and economic campaigns. For instance, programs like the Janner Card encourage resident participation in city revitalization, portraying the term as a symbol of approachable, seafaring friendliness. This application ties subtly to features, where the word aligns with the distinctive Plymothian accent used in greetings and storytelling.

Social and Pejorative Connotations

Plymouth experienced an economic downturn in the and , particularly following significant job losses at Devonport Dockyard due to naval base rationalizations and privatizations. Employment at the dockyard plummeted from approximately 15,000 in 1981 to around 4,000 by 1997, contributing to rates exceeding 14% in the early . The term "Janner" has pejorative connotations when used by outsiders from neighboring regions like Somerset, Dorset, and Cornwall. By the 2010s, as Plymouth transitioned toward a knowledge-based economy anchored by the University of Plymouth, reclamation efforts emerged, reframing "Janner" as a symbol of local resilience and pride. The university's expansion contributed nearly £250 million annually to the regional economy by 2010 through student spending and related activities, helping to diversify employment and soften earlier stereotypes. A 2020 Plymouth Herald poll of nearly 1,000 residents revealed that 79% viewed the term as non-offensive, with 72% self-identifying as "Janners," indicating a successful shift toward embracing it as a badge of community endurance rather than stigma.

Cultural Significance

In Media and Literature

The character Jan Stewer, created by author A. J. Coles under the Jan Stewer, appeared in the weekly column "The Talk at Uncle Tom Cobleigh's Club," published in the and from 1902 to 1905, portraying rural life through humorous and serious vignettes that captured local customs and speech patterns of the . This series, later compiled into books like the 1908 edition, featured Stewer as a folksy narrator embodying traditional traits such as resilience and wit amid modernization. In music, the "Oggie Song," originating around 1951 in barracks at , reflects Janner naval culture through lamenting for Cornish pasties ("oggies") and comforts, with variants like "Poor Bugger Janner" sung by sailors to evoke camaraderie and regional pride. Modern chants such as "Geddon you Janners," a motivational phrase meaning "get on with it, Janners," have entered and fan anthems, often incorporating local like "bhey" for brother. Janner accents and stereotypes have featured in 20th-century visual media. A notable television example is the 2009 Aviva insurance advertisement featuring Plymouth Argyle players and , where Janner accents deliver lines like "Geddon you Janner!" to promote spirit and regional flavor. In recent , YouTuber KoreanBilly's 2020 video series on the Plymouth , including "PLYMOUTH Dialect Words and Phrases," humorously demonstrates Janner expressions like "my lover" for friend, gaining widespread attention for educating global audiences on the accent's nuances. Similar content on , such as explorations of Janner in everyday scenarios, continues to popularize the through short-form videos.

In Sports and Local Traditions

In Plymouth's sports culture, the term "Janner" serves as a key element of fan identity for supporters of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, often embodied in the club's pre-match anthem known as the Janner Song. This song, which celebrates local pride with lyrics such as "Janners, Janners, down in Plymouth we’re all known as Janners," is routinely played before kickoff to rally the crowd and foster a sense of unity among attendees at stadium. Fans, referred to collectively as the Green Army, enthusiastically, reinforcing their shared Janner heritage tied to the city's working-class and naval roots. The Janner Song originated as a charity single in support of Derriford Hospital's Chestnut Appeal and has since become an integral part of matchday rituals, with extended versions featuring the Argyle squad to heighten spirit. Its performance not only energizes players and spectators but also highlights the term's positive role in building camaraderie, as evidenced by its inclusion in official matchday experiences organized by the Argyle Community Trust. Beyond professional football, the term appears in and charitable sports events that promote Plymouth's communal bonds. Janner Aid, an annual free community festival held at Devonport High School for Boys, exemplifies this through its celebrity football match featuring former Plymouth Argyle players like Jon Ashton and Luke McCormick, alongside local figures. The 2024 edition, running from 9am to 5pm on July 28, included activities such as live , wrestling demonstrations, , and bouncy castles, all aimed at raising funds for the Plymouth Football Boot Bank to provide equipment for underprivileged youth. The event continued annually, with the 2025 edition held on July 27 at the same venue, featuring similar activities and celebrity participation to support the charity. By naming the event after the Janner moniker, organizers emphasize local identity and collective support, drawing hundreds to participate in these inclusive gatherings. These sports-related traditions underscore the Janner label's function in strengthening social ties within Plymouth, particularly through activities that blend athletic competition with cultural expression.

References

  1. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp6gp42xwdro
  2. https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/where-is-plymouth-devon-cornwall-1922369
  3. https://www.dataplymouth.co.uk/economy
  4. https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/how-plymouth-people-feel-being-4543405
  5. https://www.oed.com/dictionary/janner_n
  6. https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/how-spot-janner-telltale-sign-5634385
  7. https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/35-plymuff-words-test-how-496546
  8. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0jq3jh4
  9. https://anglotopia.net/british-identity/do-you-know-your-scouser-from-a-geordie-ten-regional-nicknames-for-locals-around-the-uk/
  10. https://soldier.army.mod.uk/media/hq2dnec2/october-19-november-1-1981-vol-37-no11.pdf
  11. https://www.yourdictionary.com/janner
  12. https://www.definitions.net/definition/janner
  13. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/nov/04/rich-people-reinvention-once-great-naval-city-plymouth
  14. https://mainlynorfolk.info/cyril.tawney/songs/theoggieman.html
  15. https://www.slm.uni-hamburg.de/iaa/personen/ehemalige-emeriti/berg-thomas/downloads/varietites-of-english.pdf
  16. https://dialectandheritage.org.uk/stories/spotlight-on-the-south-west/west-country-english/
  17. https://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/voices2005/features/proud_to_be_devonian.shtml
  18. https://rsucon.rsu.ac.th/files/proceedings/RSUSOC2024/IN24-025.pdf
  19. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/janner-dictionary-2025-words-only-050000735.html
  20. https://www.navy-net.co.uk/community/threads/how-to-become-a-textbook-janner-the-definitive-guide.49440/
  21. https://www.lukepollard.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/154/2019/04/Plymouth-white-papers-Final-Version.pdf
  22. https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/you-love-hate-being-called-8598093
  23. https://oneplymouth.co.uk/events/janner-aid-23/
  24. https://jannercard.com/the-local-shopping-revolution/
  25. https://www.myscience.org/news/wire/economic_study_reveals_university_contribution_to_the_regional_economy_approaching_250million-2010-plymouth
  26. http://library-cat.swheritage.org.uk/archive/match-cobtal1----ARC250940
  27. https://devon-bibliography.blogspot.com/2021/04/literary-exeter-walk-2.html
  28. https://www.1879zuluwar.com/t2852-the-oggie-song
  29. https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=30885
  30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tuVGST_1gE
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEVa9OvY75M
  32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1_COsf9-kU
  33. https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/youtuber-korean-billy-janner-accent-4561157
  34. https://pasoti.co.uk/threads/the-janner-song.117841/
  35. https://argylecommunitytrust.co.uk/matchday-experiences/
  36. https://soundviewmedia.co.uk/janner-song
  37. https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/sport/football/janner-aid-plymouth-argyle-celebrities-9435640
  38. https://twitter.com/PLsportsnews/status/1949377984067985703
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