BS: Define 'plonker'

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 11:39 AM

Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't, Doug. I think that "twat," more often than not, carries that element of stupidity. Nastiness sometimes but not invariably, as in the example I gave. All these words need to be placed on some kind of scale of increasing pejorative intent. "Plonker" is clearly much further down than "twat" but we'll have to argue the points between. And context is important too. If I called you a bastard to your face you might punch me on the nose. But in Australia you might say to your best mate "G'day, you old bastard, howya doin'!" and it would be taken as a term of endearment. In fact, I'm thinking of using that excuse here more often...

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 11:29 AM

Another good one is "twit", as in "upper class twit". It's amazing how much one can express with just 2 "t"'s and one or two other letters, isn't it?

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 11:03 AM

No probs, Raggy. But it is getting more difficult by the minute ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 10:48 AM

I have never considered "plonker" to have a sexual connotation. The Urban Dictionary gives its origin as a reference to someone who was forever drunk on cheap wine, which is how I see it. As described in the link, it is a very light-hearted insult for someone who has done something foolish. I wouldn't equate it with "twat" which, for me, expresses a definite element of nastiness.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: akenaton
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 10:32 AM

Interesting Micheal(7:02 am), but I am assured that the correct definition is the article which makes a "plonking" sound when deposited in a WC pan.....personified.

There is still at least one good example here, but as I do not indulge in abusive personal insults, I will refrain from mentioning names.......the epidemic of Mudcat "plonkers", does seem to be abating. Hard medicine is often the best medicine.

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 09:30 AM

Wally.

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 09:28 AM

Yep, tit fits well!

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Raggytash
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 09:04 AM

Thank you Dave, as you can imagine it's not easy !!

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 09:01 AM

Oh, and Steve, how about tit?

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 08:56 AM

It is very tempting isn't it, Raggy? :-) Well done for being strong and not succumbing!

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 08:20 AM

"Plonker" carries a flavour of fecklessness or stupidity. When I drew up my little list I kept that in mind. For that reason, I don't think that words such as "bastard," cunt," "arsehole," "prick," "shit" or "fucker," which don't have that connotation, belong. "Twat" is arguable, though it's often used for someone who's more stupid than nasty, for example the old duffer in the Honda Jazz in front of me who won't go faster than 22 mph. Apologies for breaking a personal rule of mine in this post, but, in line with the Guardian, I avoid those pretentious asterisks in expletives.

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 07:30 AM

More modern ' fuckwit '

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 07:02 AM

Certainly one of those words, disagreeably & perversely imo, using name of a sex organ to indicate stupidity: cf cunt, twat, prick, &c. The use of plonker to mean the male organ was obviously not widespread when Partridge compiled his great Dict of Slang & Unconventional English; it only occurs as a supplemental afterthought to all the meanings about setting down heavily, &c; tho he does, right at the end of the final entry in the Supplement, add the definition, "penis, low", & as having been in use since c1917.

≈M≈

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 06:37 AM

And I could have put "cock" just above "twat" and "dickhead/knobhead" just below it. Or just "dick," which is gaining currency. Don't worry, we'll draw up a refined and re-ordered comprehensive list when the suggestions stop coming in. 😎

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Jack Campin
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 06:32 AM

You forgot about "dork".

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 05:25 AM

We were using the word in the late 60s/early 70s on Radcliffe Parks Dept., usually about the foreman, I hate to tell you.

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Raggytash
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 05:15 AM

I once heard that Mike Harding claimed to have invented the word Wazzock. I don't know for certain that he actually created the word or that he made such a claim. According to the Oxford English Dictionary online it is a 1980's creation.

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 05:10 AM

Excellent! I especially like Wazzock.

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 05:07 AM

Near-synonyms, mildest first:
Plonker
Tosser
Pillock
Wazzock
Wanker
Twat

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Raggytash
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 04:57 AM

My word this is tempting !

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 04:56 AM

Most memorably used by Dell to describe Rodney in "Only Fools And Horses".

Subject: RE: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 04:55 AM

Cambridge Dictionary: A foolish or inept person.

So there.

Subject: BS: Define 'plonker'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 04:41 AM

I'm hoping our friends in the UK can give us all a satisfactory definition for this interesting term, and supply examples of its use in conversation: "plonker"

Have at it, mates!