Jerk?
From Wikipedia:
Wanker is a perjorative term for one who wanks, or (masturbates). In Britain it is particularly used of someone (usually male) who is a self-obsessed show-off.
It originated in Britain and is similar to the US insult “jerk-off”. Although masturbation is acknowledged as a widespread practice, the insulting properties of these terms still remain.
The insult can also be conveyed using a hand gesture involving curling the fingers of the (usually right) hand into a loose fist and moving the hand back and forth in symbolic imitation of the act of male masturbation. This is most commonly used during altercations between motorists.
It literally means a male that likes to masterbate but that is like saying a “fucker” means someone that has sex. I believe the implied meanings are similar.
One who wanks.
As with all insults, it has many varied meanings.
Dismissively, from a female, it means “you think you’re it, but you’re not”
Aggressively, from a male, it can be perceived as a vague but serious challenge
From close acquaintances, it’s nothing more than a joke (and this is the most common usage, by far)
And it also is heard in every football ground, directed at the referee when he makes a decision the home fans don’t like - “who’s the wanker in the black” etc.
I wouldn’t compare wanker to fucker. Fucker is considerably more perjorative.
The way it’s used on this board, it does seem like “jerk” or “asshole” would be analogous American terms.
He wasn’t comparing the meanings of the two terms, but rather the similarity that while each could be used literally, they are both usually used in a figurative sense.
It’s not a term generally used in friendly banter either. At least not with me and my friends.
It’s made more interesting with Cockney Rhyming Slang, where the word in question is substituted with a rhyming phrase stripped of its rhyming word. So:
Merchant (banker) = wanker
Sherman (tank) = wank
J. Arthur (Rank) = wank
Armitage (Shanks) … you get the idea.
If I were to use wanker it would be a bit more insulting than plonker and a little less insulting than fucker.
The Greek’s make this even more complicated with their word “Malaka”.
It means the same as wanker and can be used in the same way. However, it can also be used as a term of affection - a grandad will call his grandson “a little ‘malaka’”! :eek: