General
jancro
What does jancro mean?
The turkey vulture (John Crow); figuratively a despicable, scavenging person.
"Dem circle like jancro roun' a dead cow."
Origin
Jamaican Patois; 'John Crow', said to derive from a hated preacher's name.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'jancro' in Jamaica?
It is the turkey vulture, also called John Crow. Figuratively it means a despicable, scavenging person.
Where does the word 'jancro' come from?
It comes from 'John Crow', which is said to derive from the name of a hated preacher whose black clothing resembled the vulture.
Is calling someone a 'jancro' an insult?
Yes — comparing a person to a jancro means they are a lowlife who feeds off others' misfortune, so it is deeply insulting.
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