Wanker

Origin of: Wanker

Wanker

This is one of Britain’s finest slang words. It literally means one who masturbates, but now means so much more. It can means twit, wally, berk, prat, plonker and pillock all rolled into one. The word has been in use, if not in print, since the early 20th century but has become very popular since the 1970s and is now used by both men and women for members of the same sex. For its etymology, see wank.