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Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2009Authentic US w.nker spotted
Sorry, I just couldn't resist the subject. Not having Marius' elevated tastes, I'm currently reading Dean Koontz (I remember him when he had an 'R')'s "The Husband". On page 7 I find "What happened was some w.nker, not even a surfer, just a wannabe tag-along, slipped Ming a quarter-dose of meth in a piece of salami". The character is meant to be a Californian surfer, and according to the back flap of the book Mr Koontz now lives inouthern California. That certainly appears to be the word used in just the way that a Brit would use it.  SignatureOnline waterways route planner: http://canalplan.org.uk development version: http://canalplan.eu > Sorry, I just couldn't resist the subject. > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Online waterways route planner:http://canalplan.org.uk > development version:http://canalplan.eu It is British slang, picked up on this side of the Pond. Does the American Heritage Dictionary's definition match yours? http://www.bartleby.com/61/54/W0025410.html >> Sorry, I just couldn't resist the subject. >> [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >American Heritage Dictionary's definition match yours? >http://www.bartleby.com/61/54/W0025410.html The (British) Dictionary of Slang has a third definition which, is IME is the most frequently used figurative meaning in BrE: http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/w.htm Noun. 1. A masturbator. 2. A contemptible person. 3. An idiot, an incompetent person. SignaturePeter Duncanson, UK (in alt.usage.english) > The (British) Dictionary of Slang has a third definition which, is > IME is the most frequently used figurative meaning in BrE: [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > 2. A contemptible person. > 3. An idiot, an incompetent person. In the US TV series "Married With Children", Peggy's maiden name was "w.nker" and her family lived in "w.nker County". It seemed likely that the writers were familiar with the British usage. Brian SignatureIf televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who won't shut up. -- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com) >In the US TV series "Married With Children", Peggy's maiden name was >"w.nker" and her family lived in "w.nker County". It seemed likely that >the writers were familiar with the British usage. I wondered about that. I enjoyed the series. SignaturePeter Duncanson, UK (in alt.usage.english) > It is British slang, picked up on this side of the Pond. Does the > American Heritage Dictionary's definition match yours? > http://www.bartleby.com/61/54/W0025410.html Hmm... 'a person who masturbates'. That pastime being so universally enjoyed, surely that could almost be shortened to 'a person'. >> It is British slang, picked up on this side of the Pond. Does the >> American Heritage Dictionary's definition match yours? >> http://www.bartleby.com/61/54/W0025410.html > > Hmm... 'a person who masturbates'. That pastime being so universally > enjoyed, surely that could almost be shortened to 'a person'. I suppose the slang alludes to the belief, which used to be common, that masturbation was a leading cause of idiocy & insanity. It might also constitute an insulting insinuation that the person so described had difficulty getting laid. Signature--- Joe Fineman joe_f@verizon.net ||: Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler. :|| >>> It is British slang, picked up on this side of the Pond. Does the >>> American Heritage Dictionary's definition match yours? [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >also constitute an insulting insinuation that the person so described >had difficulty getting laid. As kids, we heard from some of the more conservative teachers that masturbation could lead to blindness. SignatureRegards, Chuck Riggs Near Dublin, Ireland >>>> It is British slang, picked up on this side of the Pond. Does the >>>> American Heritage Dictionary's definition match yours? [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > As kids, we heard from some of the more conservative teachers that > masturbation could lead to blindness. Let me guess. They had to tell you because your eyesight wasn't up to reading the leaflets? SignatureDavid > As kids, we heard from some of the more conservative teachers that > masturbation could lead to blindness. I think I'll risk one eye. > As kids, we heard from some of the more conservative teachers that > masturbation could lead to blindness. Better to tell the kid that it makes hair grow in your palm and then watch to see if he looks. SignatureJohn Varela Trade OLD lamps for NEW for email >> As kids, we heard from some of the more conservative teachers that >> masturbation could lead to blindness. > > Better to tell the kid that it makes hair grow in your palm and then > watch to see if he looks. In my undergraduate days, there was a story that a certain professor had said in class, "One thing you should know about masturbation is that it..." and then trailed off in a mumble. When a student raised his hand and asked what the professor had said, he replied loudly "It makes you deaf". Alluding to that, it became common in conversation, if anyone said "What?", to reply "Makes you deaf". Signature--- Joe Fineman joe_f@verizon.net ||: The happiest time in anyone's life is just after the first :|| ||: divorce. :|| >>>> It is British slang, picked up on this side of the Pond. Does the >>>> American Heritage Dictionary's definition match yours? [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > As kids, we heard from some of the more conservative teachers that > masturbation could lead to blindness. Quite a number of us wear glasses now. SignatureRob Bannister >>>>> It is British slang, picked up on this side of the Pond. Does the >>>>> American Heritage Dictionary's definition match yours? [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Quite a number of us wear glasses now. Now? I'd put five-fingered Mary away by that time. I wore contacts for most of my life. SignatureRegards, Chuck Riggs Near Dublin, Ireland > It might also > constitute an insulting insinuation that the person so described had > difficulty getting laid. I didn't realize it 'either or' rather than 'both and'. My bad. > Sorry, I just couldn't resist the subject. > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > That certainly appears to be the word used in just the way that a > Brit would use it. Not quite the same in the translated version! > Sorry, I just couldn't resist the subject. > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > The character is meant to be a Californian surfer, and according to the > back flap of the book Mr Koontz now lives inouthern California. Or mayube the character was British-American? --iain |
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