nants

adj

British

no, none, nothing.

The word was in use in London working-class and theatrical slang from the early 19th century until the 1960s; this is an example of parl-yaree, the Italian-inspired patois of actors, showmen and circus workers. Nanty originates in the Italian niente, meaning nothing. The last recorded instance of its use was in the radio com-edy Round the Horne, in which the effeminate characters Julian and Sandy referred to Kenneth Horne's having 'nanty riah' (no hair).