janner

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".