“Jagoff” is certainly associated strongly with Chicago, as well as Pittsburgh. I’ve never heard it outside of people from those two places. It may have originated in Pittsburgh (which does seem to be the case), but it’s also a Chicago regionalism. Here’s a little background on the word and its use in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and its possible etymologies. Apparently, it’s not a mangling of the word “jerk-off,” which is what I’ve always assumed it was, and does not carry a sexual meaning.
Oh, missed this. Definition #8 does. As does the last definition.
I live in CA now, but grew up in New England. Probably heard it more in NE than in CA and that would have been a few decade ago. I don’t think Americans automatically associate it with masturbation, though. More like “someone who has no idea what he’s doing”.
Well, learn something new everyday I guess – I always thought it was a only a Burgh thing. (I’m guessing though you probably stole it from us. ;))
Seeking to insult someone by designating them as a masturbator is kind of like caling someone an “air-breather”, isn’t it?
I think the implication is that the person is continuously hyperventilating, taking in rather more oxygen than is strictly necessary.
I think the insult lies in the idea that the someone you’re insulting masturbates because no one else would touch them sexually.
In addition to the language uses, I certainly see hand gestures miming male masturbation all the time. I’ve always associated that usage with time wasting or meaningless bullshit being spewed by someone.
The idea is that the only kind of sex they have is masturbation.
The hand gesture usually insinuates self-indulgent time wasting or meaningless bullshit. I don’t think it’s directed at the merely stubborn or anxious.
Ive used wanker as an insult several times, but the effect is diluted when you have to explain the meaning of the term, then get caught up in a discussion of lifts, lollies, boots, and the like.