Did your friend pull up to pick you up from work in their old, beaten-up car? You could say it’s ‘janky’ and they should get a new model. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘janky’ means an inanimate item in poor condition. It’s an adjective referring to an item of low quality or something held in low social esteem. It can also refer to an item or object that appears worn, dilapidated, shabby, out of shape, and unappealing to the eye.
It’s important to note that ‘janky’ mostly refers to inanimate objects, not people or animals. However, it can also refer to someone you find undesirable due to their personality, looks, or both.
If something is ‘janky,’ it’s unreliable, like an old car at constant risk of breaking down on the highway. You’ll use the term to describe items you find unappealing or needing repair or refurbishment.
Example Usage
“This car is old and janky. It’s time to trade it in for a new model. I hear the dealership has some awesome specials on new BMWs at the moment.”
“This house is janky. It looks like it’s falling apart and needs extensive repairs. There’s no way I’m buying this property. I don’t have the money to fix it up.’
“This all feels a little janky to me. Can’t anybody structure it to look visually appealing to the viewer?”
“That motorbike I janky. I told you there was something suspect about it. No one would sell it to you for that price if there wasn’t something wrong with it.”
“This garden looks janky. It’s all overgrown, and there are weeds everywhere. If we want to sell this place, we must get the yard into shape.”
“Your dress looks a little janky. I wouldn’t be caught dead in it. Let’s get you something decent to wear to the party tonight.”
“Well, that experience was a little janky. I didn’t know what to do and felt out of place the entire time. Let’s go home and forget about it, please.”
Origin
The expression ‘janky’ originates from the word ‘murky.’ The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word as a colloquial pronunciation of the word ‘junky.’ The earliest use of the term appears in 1994 in the book ‘Juba to Jive: A Dictionary of African-American Slang.’
The entry defines the term as the following.
‘a noun meaning ‘bad luck,’ and a variant of the word ‘jinxed.’
However, the word changed its meaning over the years, referring to something in bad condition or in need of ‘TLC.’
The word also appears in ‘Rust: The Longest War,’ published by Jonathan Waldman. The preface in the book has the title ‘A Janky Old Boat.’
Phrases Similar to Janky
- Junky.
- In poor condition.
- Dilapidated.
Phrases Opposite to Janky
- In good condition.
- Perfect.
- Flawless.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Janky.
Ways People May Say Janky Incorrectly
Some people may use ‘janky’ to refer to a person that isn’t in good health or out of shape. However, the term only applies to inanimate objects, not to people. It is incorrect to describe an old person or someone physically out of shape.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Janky
You can use the phrase ‘janky’ to describe anything that’s dilapidated and in poor condition. You could use it to describe your old car and how it’s falling apart. Or you could use it to describe a building or any object in a deteriorating condition. It’s a way of calling something ‘junky’ or unappealing due to its disheveled appearance.
The phrase suits social and professional use. Use it at the office to describe your antiquated CRM system that needs replacing. Use it at home to explain how your old lounge suite needs refurbishing or replacing. The term suits use in any scenario where you describe something in poor condition that’s unappealing. Some may use it to describe undesirable people.