Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1904-1993
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HENNER, n., v.
I. n. 1. A somersault (Edb. 1957). In pl. = gymnastic feats (Cai.9 1939).Sc. 1904 Scotsman (23 Dec.):
The boys, who were admittedly playing truant, had been amusing themselves by playing “henners” on the swings.Edb. 1949 Evening Dispatch (24 Oct.):
I'll show ye Bonnier henners Nor onie acrobat.Edb. 1993:
He went fur a henner doon the stairs.
Phr.: to have henners, To fly into a rage. (Edb. 2000s).Edb. 1984:
When I telt her aboot it she near had henners. She'll have henners when she sees that mess.
2. A disappointment, upset, reversal of plans.Edb. 1955:
I got a right henner yesterday.
3. A dare, a challenge to some feat of daring (m.Lth.1 1957). Cf. Hen, n.2, 1.
II. v. To challenge a person to attempt a physical feat (Cai.9 1939).
[Freq. form of Hen, v., n.2]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Henner n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/henner>
