# What does the word 'Wanker' mean in America? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [July 18, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282 "2003-07-18T01:39:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ben\_Hicks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@Ben\_Hicks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ben_Hicks)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/1 "2003-07-18T01:39:53Z")
While browsing through [Cecil’s column on whether .999… = 1](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/030711.html) I was mildly taken aback to read: > [@](#): > > **Cecil said** > > _Q: Why are we talking about this incredibly esoteric topic when there are so many more interesting things to discuss, like whether Rebecca Romijn-Stamos is wearing anything besides blue body paint in the new X-Men movie?_ > > A: Because it’s cool, **you wanker.** Here, have a banana while the rest of us discuss. Now, in the UK a wanker is someone who is fixated with jerking off. I figure that a national syndicated column like The Straight Dope wouldn’t feature words with this fairly explicit meaning so I’m guessing the word means something different in the States. If so, what does it mean? ---
**Author:** ![Alereon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Alereon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alereon)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/2 "2003-07-18T01:47:32Z")
It means the exact same thing as it does in the UK, someone who masturbates. At least, I’ve never heard any alternate meaning. ---
**Author:** ![3waygeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e95f7d/32.png) [@3waygeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3waygeek)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/3 "2003-07-18T01:48:20Z")
Note that Cecil’s column runs in “alternative” newspapers, which tend to use somewhat more colorful language than mainstream papers. Having said that, _wanker_ isn’t exactly a common insult here, so it can sometimes get past media censors. A more common insult here is _jerk-off_, which means more or less the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![AntaresJB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@AntaresJB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AntaresJB)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/4 "2003-07-18T03:23:48Z")
Another possible reason that they can get away with it is because “wanker” is thought of as just “one of those British words” in the US. Like on TV, when there’s a character from the UK, we all _know_ he’s British because he’ll say “bloody” a lot and calls people “wankers”. Everyone goes, “Oho! It’s just one of those words the British use all the time! Therefore it can’t be as bad as all that!” Similar to how, IIRC, “bloody” is much more offensive in the UK than it is here. ---
**Author:** ![Space\_Vampire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Space\_Vampire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Space_Vampire)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/5 "2003-07-18T04:01:44Z")
Yes. We’ve discussed it before. Most people know what it means, (but maybe it’s just my crowd, I don’t know) we just don’t care. In my opinion, British curses and slang sound too funny to REALLY be offensive. So sod off you bloody tosser. Hahahahahaahaha, sheer hilarity for all ages! ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/6 "2003-07-18T04:18:51Z")
I asked an american exchange student this same question recently. He was from Chile. He said that a wanker is a “lazy person”. I am surprised that the UK meaning is a compulsive onanist. I thought it was the same as the Aussie meaning: “A person who considers themselves overly important, cultured or sophisticated. Arrogant and self absorbed.” ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/7 "2003-07-18T04:30:53Z")
Sorry for the slight hijack. From the Macquarie (australian) dictionary. > [@](#): > > wanker noun > > 1. (Derogatory) an obnoxious or annoying person. > 2. a self-indulgent or egotistical person. ---
**Author:** ![Catalyst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@Catalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catalyst)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/8 "2003-07-18T04:52:11Z")
Random American checking in: In every case I’ve heard or said _wanker_, it’s been using the definition that **antechinus** provides. It literally means “somebody who masturbates,” but the implication is more that they’re irritating or egotistical. On the other hand, if I say “he’s upstairs wanking,” I do in fact mean he’s having a J. Arthur. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/9 "2003-07-18T05:20:25Z")
Considering the reference to the blue-painted actress, Cecil was certainly talking about the act of **coming unscrewed.** In a broader sense, in midwest America, wanker is a general-purpose insult meaning fool, especially one with a narrow focus in life, such as Ms. Romijn-Stamos’s bodypaint or a Supreme Court Justice’s retirement portfolio. On these shores, wanker is different from wonk. Wonk is a smart guy or gal with a narrow focus, such as energy or civil liberties. “\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_is a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ wonk.” is not necessarily a bad thing, though it may mean that person is boring at parties. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/10 "2003-07-18T06:43:10Z")
It could be someone who lives in Wanker’s Corner, Oregon… ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/11 "2003-07-18T07:09:26Z")
Well, here’n ol’ California, it really isn’t a commonly used word at all, and I’d doubt that most people would even know what it means. …But, on the other hand, it’s really not too hard for a casual observer to tell that “wanker” isn’t exactly meant as a compliment. I mean, if I said; “Ben Hicks? Ha! What a _noodge!_” it’s still pretty easy to infer that “noodge” is an meant as an insult, even if one doesn’t actually know what “noodge” means. And, oddly enough, my _Dictionary of American Slang_ (3rd edition) lists one of the possible definitions for “wanker” as being “Party Animal.” This usage being primarily among “Canadian students” in the 1990s. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/12 "2003-07-18T07:10:39Z")
Wanker is a euphemism for jerk-off. I can call one of my buds a wanker and we get a laugh out of it. If I call him a jerk-off we might end up in a fight. I have also heard the term wuss used on tv and radio without censor. Wuss is just a euphemism for pussy. You can call a guy a wuss and not really piss him off too bad, but I suggest you don’t call a guy a pussy. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/13 "2003-07-18T07:14:42Z")
I can quite easily see how “wanker” can move from meaning “someone who wanks” to “someone obsesed with self-pleasuring” to “egotistical and self-absorbed” to “irritating little shit that you’d strangle if no-one was watching”. Not that I know anyone like that 🙂 Grim ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/14 "2003-07-18T10:08:59Z")
Since this is a comment on one of Cecil’s columns, I’ll move this thread to the Comments on Cecil’s Columns forum. bibliophage moderator GQ * * * > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dtilque \* > \*\*It could be someone who lives in Wanker’s Corner, Oregon… \*\* Or Wanker Draw, a small valley in eastern Wyoming. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/15 "2003-07-18T10:11:20Z")
Maybe [these guys](http://www.wankerscorner.com) could tell you. (I especially enjoyed the shop selling “Wankerwear”.) ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/16 "2003-07-18T10:13:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AntaresJB \* > \*\*Another possible reason that they can get away with it is because “wanker” is thought of as just “one of those British words” in the US. Like on TV, when there’s a character from the UK, we all _know_ he’s British because he’ll say “bloody” a lot and calls people “wankers”. Everyone goes, “Oho! It’s just one of those words the British use all the time! Therefore it can’t be as bad as all that!” Similar to how, IIRC, “bloody” is much more offensive in the UK than it is here. \*\* No, bloody is not offensive the UK, though about 100-50 years ago it still would of been frowned upon (bloody is a contraction of “by my lady”). Wanker on the other hand in the UK is one of the taboo-words. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/17 "2003-07-18T10:14:33Z")
I have occasionally seen Americans using the word as a synomym for “penis”. I’ve no idea how widespread this misapplication is, but it‘s clearly out there somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/18 "2003-07-18T10:16:21Z")
I think you mean “wangler”(?), **WotNot** ---
**Author:** ![raygirvan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@raygirvan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raygirvan)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/19 "2003-07-18T11:26:47Z")
**antechinus** : agreed. UK usage is the same; a “wanker” - whatever its literal meaning, is someone who’s precious, irritating - something like a jerk or a “git”, which has been discussed here before. I’d always assumed “wank(er)” meant nothing much in the USA; the title of Jack Vance’s 1969 SF novel “Servants of the Wankh” has always amused British SF fans. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282/20 "2003-07-18T11:33:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MC Master of Ceremonies \* > \*\*(bloody is a contraction of “by my lady”). > \*\* No it isn’t. [Word Detective](http://www.word-detective.com/111097.html#bloody) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-wanker-mean-in-america/189282.md?page=2)