[Ads-l] Antedating of "nanner" (banana)

[Steven Losie]

NANNER (banana) (OED3, 1929)

[begin quote]
Dear Santa Claus:—
I am a little boy five years old.
I cant go to school yet. But I carry in the wood and feed the pig now
please bring me a football a ball to squirt water, and some nanners and
oranges peanuts and candy, and popcorn. If you will I be a good boy.
[end quote]
Columbia (Missouri) Herald, 18 Dec 1896, p.2, col.1 (newspapers.com)
Article title: The Herald's Children Write To Santa Claus

[begin quote]
SANTA CLAUS:—I want you to bring me some candy, oranges, apples, some
'nanner and a little doll.
[end quote]
The Southern Democrat (Oneonta, Alabama), 10 Dec 1908, p.5, col.1  (
newspapers.com)
Article title: Letters To Santa Claus

[begin quote]
"Ah guess a'll take 'bout a dozen of them 'nanners there on that bunch," he
decided.
[end quote]
Albuquerque Morning Journal, 22 Sep 1921, p.6, col.2  (newspapers.com)

Article title: Nanners; Three Act Comedy By Staff And Coon

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