Talk:Wanker

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Git[edit]

I've created a stub for the British slang term git, which is pretty much a softer synonym of wanker (though with a different derivation and subtleties of usage). Help with expanding it would be appreciated. Cheers! Artw 03:26, 6 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

  • If anyones come across any good sources of citations for slang terms that would be especially appreciated! Artw 03:28, 6 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The term "git" is a pronunciation variation of the original "get," a popular term of insult dating back to the Middle Ages, being itself a truncated version of "whore's get," or prostitute's offspring. It was still pronounced "get" as recently as the 1970s in the UK.

"Get" is still in common usage in northern England. Mr Larrington (talk) 19:54, 4 August 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Australia[edit]

Its still an insult here, although a generic one (not implying that the subject is a masturbator, although statistically he almost certainly is). I can't believe some wanker thought otherwise.

is used to express feeling you have about some one for example

"Eric is a real Wanker" means you don't like that person. so it is used mainlyy in expression 

  -------------

^ Whoever wrote the above is probably an ex-pat Brit (~) ;)

Although wanker of course, literally means "masturbator", the word is primarily used in Australia to describe someone who brags/ exaggerates/poses/attempts to project an overly self-important image, the implication being that they are involved in pleasuring themselves. A common related quip in Australia, "get your hand off it" is used to imply that someone is relating an unreliable (usually exaggerated) version of events.

If you're interested in the correct regional etymology please adjust the main page.

References![edit]

  • Reference to wanking gesture: [1]
  • Entry with a discussion of etymology: [2]
  • Article which has a reference to showing off and an interesting account of a court case involving "wanker": [3]
  • Not actually relevant, but has a funny anecdote: [4]
  • Some paper from the Australian Linguistic society I haven't read: [5], found on this page: [6] (Well maybe you should read it. It says clearly that wanker = pretentious in Australia.)
  • Not really a reference, but discusses explanation in OED (might be worth following up): [7]
  • You have to pay for this one and I don't know what use it is; nevertheless, it has the word: [8]

I hope my half-an-hour enduring Google torture was not in vain. Rintrah 12:20, 9 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Here's a nice pic of the hand gesture in context [9] in case anyone doubts it's real. There are some rock stars who have famously used it - Liam Gallagher perhaps? -- zzuuzz (talk) 12:34, 9 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Here's proof it can get you in trouble: [10]. Rintrah 13:46, 9 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]
And here's proof people are sometimes willing to overlook it: BBC Image - Article. Hakluyt bean (talk) 23:06, 26 October 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Trivia[edit]

Please clear out all but the most important trivia (a contradiction in terms, I know). Meeeeep 07:44, 25 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

{{OR}}, {{tone}} and {{Copyedit}}[edit]

I don't see anything in the article today that merits these tags. If no-one has any specific problems then I'll remove them in a few days. Thanks. --Cherry blossom tree 00:01, 12 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Theswe applied to an earlier version of the article (one that was up for deletion). We can probably take them off right now given the significant work done since. Artw 00:36, 12 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I've copyedited this fucker, even though the tags were removed, and its now ready for a peer review. I originally put up the {{copyedit}} one during a copyedit of the article. It now reads much better. Meep 14:33, 18 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Tosser[edit]

Why does "tosser" redirect to here? They are 2 total seperate insults.--68.149.181.145 21:17, 6 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

They are not dissimilar. (see wiktionary:Tosser) -- zzuuzz(talk) 21:25, 6 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Literally they mean the same thing; their common signification, too, is similar. 16:51, 8 April 2007 (UTC)
They are not the same thing and the sentence claiming they are synonymous is incorrect. Toss-pot is a term that means "drunkard" and tosser derives from this. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mrscruffy (talk • contribs) 20:28, 17 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I will use it in context

"gee Eric you are a tosser" "the way you did that, makes you look like aa real tosser mate!" as you can see from these examples it is used in colourful language of expressionism. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.209.70.232 (talk) 10:31, 2 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Tosserr is another way of calling somone a wanker. it is to sybolise the way we feel about somone we hate them, think they are horrible. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.209.70.232 (talk) 10:35, 2 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Regarding the above comments: "tosspot" in its original, Shakespearian-era meaning did indeed mean a heavy drinker - one who tosses back a pot of ale. (See for example, the song at the end of Twelth Night). I don't think "tosser" has the same origin: it is a modern synonym for wanker - one who tosses his own penis. Consequently "tosspot" is usually used in the same context, because most people are unaware of its original meaning & assume it is another synonym for tosser. So I think that it is correct for "tosser" to redirect to the "wanker" article, but believe that "tosspot" should have a separate article outlining its original meaning & modern usage. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.158.23.215 (talk) 01:07, 11 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

To settle this, there is now a separate entry for "tosspot" which discusses both meanings. Weasel Fetlocks (talk) 17:51, 19 June 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Hand gesture[edit]

As Tony Martin mentions in Lolly Scramble, the individual performing this piece of pantomine is sure to apportion to himself a member of equine proportions. Rather than an almost closed fist with thumb and forefingers almost touching (as stated in the article and illustrate in the picture), the hand gesture often involves an almost flat palm, curled only slighty, thereby enlarging both the object and the motion, making the gesture more visible. A rather loose wrist motion is often also used, or even a whole are motion.

Recent edits[edit]

This edit seems to have basically reverted this article back several months. The summary given was "resore deleted material". I think most of this deleted material should stay deleted. It's mostly unsourced, contains four different cleanup notices and massive lists of occasions when the word has been used. In addition, the article also flows less well and (in my opinion) is massively inferior to the previous version. I think it should be returned to this version, but I'd like input from other editors. Thanks. --Cherry blossom tree 21:35, 4 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I'm inclined to agree to some extent, and a blind reversion was not a good way to do it, though I also think too much was removed before. -- zzuuzz(talk) 21:48, 4 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]
What amongst the stuff that was removed do you think should have been kept? --Cherry blossom tree 22:42, 4 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I think a lot of important cultural references were removed. The version I reverted to isn't perfect but what was left after the culling does not do the subject justice. Jooler 23:07, 4 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I thought removal of the references to Countdown, and American sitcoms in particular, resulted in a loss of cultural context. I also thought the factoid about Cristiano Ronaldo was revealing and informative. There were probably a few others. -- zzuuzz(talk) 23:11, 4 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The stuff that was removed was basically the two massive lists. As a temporary measure, would you object to returning to the shorter version but leaving them in? The rest of the article really was much better.
Having said that, I don't think the lists as they are merit inclusion. While it would be worthwhile to document the genuinely interesting ones (such as the countdown story) and the general trends (such as its usage in the USA) the current format leans towards reeling off each time the word has ever been used in public, sometimes more than once. I'm happy to edit the lists into prose in this manner if it would be an acceptable solution. Any comments? Thanks. --Cherry blossom tree 00:48, 5 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I agree with what you are saying. I think it would be better to re-introduce the interesting stuff to the more recent pared down version, rather than bring back all the trivia and remove bits of lists. -- zzuuzz(talk) 01:10, 5 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]
In important stuff that should be kept IMHO (not as big a list as I thought it was going to be actually).
  1. "Married... with Children" & "Mork and Mindy" reference - I think I'm not alone in saying that I was staggered to see the Mork and Mindy episode when I was a kid. Something that I think slipped through the net when it was broadcast in the UK back then. I suspect think "Married... with Children" was not shown on UK TV for a long time because of it.
  2. Countdown - nuff said. The clip is shown quite a lot.
  3. The Paul Hogan show character. I think this demonstates the different usage in Aus and UK at the time. I don't think it would have been acceptable to use it as a character surname in the UK back then. Now I think no one would bat an eyelid.
  4. The Ivor Biggun song. It's unique and was very well-known among students etc when it came out.
Jooler

BTW Zxuuzz - a factoid is not a small fact as one might imagine but a falsehood purported to be a fact - see factoid. Jooler 09:00, 5 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I've tried to add back in the things mentioned. I couldn't find a good place for the Ronaldo story - if anyone wants to add that or make any other changes then go for it! I hope this is more or less acceptable. --Cherry blossom tree 12:19, 5 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Male-only term?[edit]

Is this term ever used for female persons or is it male-only? -- 85.179.162.64 15:37, 5 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I would say that it in my experience it would be rare to use it in reference to a female. Jooler
I agree with that.--h i s s p a c e r e s e a r c h 16:50, 28 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I believe that the original root of the insult is that the male is unable to get a woman, and hence resorts to wanking instead. It is therefore a male-male status issue, and is inappropriate as applied to a female. Indeed use in that context can seem humourous rather than insulting. —Preceding unsigned comment added by MegdalePlace (talk • contribs) 19:45, 3 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
We as a group have had in in depth discusion and beleive that wank is a term that translates to masterbate... therefore we beleive that the term WANK can be universal to both male and female masterbating —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.93.97.35 (talk) 01:44, 16 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It is rare for the term to be used to refer to a female, or to female masturbation. Editor1209 (talk) 06:28, 31 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

"In Australia the word has developed a metaphorical usage, in which to wank or to be a wanker implies egotistical and self-indulgent behaviour"[edit]

is this not true in the UK too? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.105.222.50 (talk • contribs)

Yes. Artw 17:43, 15 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I think the point is that in Britain it is still used as a general all-purpose insult, whereas the specific meaning is dominant in Australia. I'll try and reword that section. --Cherry blossom tree 18:40, 15 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The difference is that in Australia this is the main usage of the word, whereas in the UK it is one usage, but not the most common one. Editor1209 (talk) 06:28, 31 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Although, in Australia, if someone was referred to as 'wanking' I think the split of opinion would be slightly over half [say 55%] that he [almost always HE] was masturbating and slighty less than half that he was just being up himself. The point is we Australians are capable of using our wank words as a subtle and beautiful tool of communication. So there. 60.242.50.195 (talk) 10:57, 23 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
"Wanker" but not "Wank". In Australia calling someone a "wanker" is almost never literal, whereas saying that someone is wanking usually would be. ::::
Dozens of words are used in a metaphoric sense. And the American jerk off is too. Format (talk) 21:02, 23 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
From what I can tell of the American use of "jerk" it seems to be a more generalised insult. Perhaps the UK use of "wanker" also. In Australia calling someone a "wanker" (metaphoically - being the main use) is a much more specific description of their behavior.::::

Devo lyrics[edit]

Please add in the article that Devo said "I'm not a wanker or a banker" in the "Triumph Of The Will" lyrics. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 61.219.36.133 (talk) 20:37, 6 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Relevance? Highlyinoffensive (talk) 18:45, 30 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Usage in Mexico[edit]

The suggested usage of "Wanker" in Mexico (as detailed in the last line under the heading of "Meaning") seems to be completely out of place and it also seems to be a case of poor translation or poor grammar.

Fts9 (talk) 16:50, 2 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Canadians use the term too![edit]

FYI - wanker is used in Canada, especially in the Canadian Forces. The CF works side by side with other Commonwealth countries and as a result, pick slang sayings and integrating them into everyday speak. The term 'wanker' is, therefore, used in everyday terminology especially around Canadian military units.122.150.194.112 (talk)

Spelling mistake[edit]

Hello, in the section In Popular Culture, in the following line:

In the PC game Team fortress 2 the sniper, being of Australian decent, often uses the word wanker in taunts such as "Thanks for standing still, wanker."

decent should be descent instead. I am not registered, so can't edit the article, so please someone else do it.


Done. Can't remember off-hand what the edit-request-complete template is... a_man_alone (talk) 20:36, 11 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Tosser redirection[edit]

Shouldn't Tosser have a disambiguation page? In tech slang there exists mail tosser for instance, most popular with older protocols such as fidonet (in that sense either a mailer or a script invoking the mailer), but I still hear the expression today in relation to SMTP MTAs. 76.10.128.192 (talk) 16:03, 14 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Cockney Rhyming Slang[edit]

'Barclays Banker'= Wanker

I'm surprised that hasn't been noted.

I'm off for a 'Barclays'... ... not really. :) 70.238.219.124 (talk) 05:04, 17 August 2013 (UTC)[reply]

If it has a place at all, that place is in Rhyming_Slang#Taboo_terms, somewhere close to Jodrell Bank. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2602:30A:2C4A:1CB0:A4CF:B6E2:53C0:AE7D (talk) 21:20, 7 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Semi-protected edit request on 28 November 2014[edit]

The Wanker is a novel by Owney Keenan published on Amazon in November 2014

Owneyk (talk) 18:23, 28 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format. — {{U|Technical 13}} (e • t • c) 19:15, 28 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Typo[edit]

Typo right here: 'because the spell together the word "wanker"'. Couldn't change it myself or I would

Done. Artw (talk) 19:15, 1 July 2015 (UTC)[reply]

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Wankh vs Wannek vs Wank[edit]

Rather than "Wankh" resembling "wanker" and causing offence, it's more likely that it simply resembles "wank". A wank is a session of masturbation. "Go away Mum, I'm having a wank". "Having a wank" is a commonplace use, that's what one does with a wank, has it. "Wank" itself is therefore a noun, you can have a quick wank or a two-handed wank or any type of wank you might be able to imagine, and knowing men, as well as being one, I can say that's probably a lot.

That said it's also a verb. "I'm wanking". "I'm wanking over a picture of your sister I got off Facebook", etc. Good old English, often most versatile when it comes to swearing. Which "wank" is only very mildly so.

So, technicality, but "Wankh" resembles "wank", not "wanker" as the article currently states. I looked at the reference, number 24, and there's nothing there to counter this. I know it's a small point but we all like accuracy, right? Oh and it ought also to go without saying I'm British so I know what I'm talking about, wank-wise.

I'll leave this comment, and nothing will ever happen. Or else I could just change it myself and start an edit war for no reason at all with some over-sensitive... Wikipedian... who get very possessive over "their" articles and are very uncompromising over the smallest change. So I'll leave this here now and maybe make the edit in 6 months when I remember. You have that long to present a defence for being wrong.

84.68.182.108 (talk) 01:36, 7 October 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Popular Culture[edit]

Wanker is a term that is used often to describe Ted Lasso in his TV series. 47.32.201.130 (talk) 17:17, 4 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Early use in popular culture[edit]

I came upon this article after listening to Sister Rosetta Tharpe's version of "This Train". It has a few lines starting with "You know this train don't pull no wankers" and was released in the 1930s. See for example https://www.jiosaavn.com/lyrics/this-train-lyrics/IC0PaSFSU14.I don't see it mentioned in the article and it predates the other uses, so could be of interest. As I'm not a confirmed user I cannot fix it myself... Troglodyx (talk) 06:23, 18 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]

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