Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
JANKER, n.2 A heavy stone or iron framework laid on a new grave to frustrate attempts at stealing the corpse. Also attrib. Hist.Fif. 1924 A. M. Houston Auchterderran 63:
One stone, a cumbrous, “janker-stane” has been broken with a heavy hammer, shewing in the interstice where the body of a child was pulled through and removed for dissection.Edb. 1926 J. Geddie Fringes Edb. 89:
While the iron “janker”, or coffin-safe, between the gate and the kirk-door continues to recall the times when fear of the “resurrectionists” was dominant in the parish.
