Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X, list of Scottish personal names).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
JANET. Dim. form of Jane, common in Scot. (Sc. 1724 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) I. 58; Ayr. 1789 Burns Ep. to J. Tennant 54; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Gen.Sc.). Also in imitation of a Highland speaker Shanet (Sc. 1827 Scott Chron. Canongate v.), cf. Gael. Seonaid; †Jannet (Rnf. 1717 W. Hector Judicial Rec. (1876) 124), and dim. forms Jan(n)ettie (Abd. 1788 Aberdeen Mag. (Aug.)), Jinty (Cai., em.Sc.(a), Ayr. 1975); Jennie, Jenny (Sc. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Shep. v. iii.; Ayr. 1785 Burns Halloween xiii.; Sc. 1817 Scott O. Mortality iv., 1827 R. Chambers Picture Scot. II. 403; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Rxb. 1942 Zai; Gen.Sc.); Janny (Sh. 1898 J. Burgess Tang ii., 1954 New Shetlander No. 40. 10), Jenno (Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 55) (see -O, suff.); and with alternative dim. suff. Jennock (Lth. 1811 G. Bruce Poems 65; Ayr. 1886 J. Meikle Lintie 129); Jennag (Cai. 1975); pet form Jen (Kcb. 1893 Crockett Raiders xxxii.). See also Jean. [′dʒɑnət; ‡′dʒɛnət; ′dʒɛne; I.Sc. ′tʃ-]