Cannin’
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "cannin’" means preserving food in jars - vegetables, fruits, jams, and even meats - usually at home. It’s both an act of self-reliance and a seasonal ritual woven into rural life.
#SouthernWords #Appalachia #FoodandDrink #Southern #FarmTalk
We was 'cannin’' stuff growin' up, and we still do. Not everbody does, but it's common. We was 'cannin’' stuff growin' up, and we still do. Not everbody does, but it's common. Pronunciation
Meaning & Usage
- The act of preserving food in jars (noun/verb)
What’s y’all doin’ Saturday?We’re cannin’ green beans.- A seasonal family or community event (noun)
You comin’ to the cannin’ at Aunt Sue’s?Wouldn’t miss it - she makes the best chow-chow.Origin and Etymology
Home canning became common in the 19th century as jars and pressure canners became affordable. In Appalachia and the rural South, "cannin’" was essential for surviving winters without store-bought goods. Folklorists recorded "cannin’ bees" and "puttin’ up" parties as part of Southern culture.
Usage Notes
Still practiced widely in rural communities, farmers markets, and homesteading circles. Outsiders may say "canning," but "cannin’" with a dropped "g" marks it as Southern/Appalachian speech.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "cannin’." The "g" is dropped in true Southern style.