ca'canny

[kah-kan-ee, kaw-]

noun

British Slang.

1. a deliberate reduction of working speed and production by workers, to express their discontent.

ca'canny

/ ˌkɔːˈkænɪ /

noun

1. moderation or wariness

2. 1. a policy of restricting the output of work; a go-slow

   2. ( as modifier )

      a ca'canny policy

Word History and Origins

Origin of ca'canny¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; literally, “drive gently”; ca', canny

Word History and Origins

Origin of ca'canny¹

C19: literally, call canny to drive gently

Example Sentences

They knew all about “ca' canny.”

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Cann′iness.—To ca' canny, to go or act cautiously.

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If they but loved there could not be any more profiteering, or ca' canny, or any injustice.

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Without here taking account of the "ca'-canny" policy, which aims to make labor inefficient, extravagant wages for efficient labor increase the cost of goods.

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The term "ca'-canny" means working at an easy-going pace, which is one of the methods adopted in order to make work for an excessive number of men.

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