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 2 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/henner>
