A plonker and a schmuck walk into a bar.

21
933 followers

Actually, they just walked into my email...

Yes, it has, but not so bad if you call yourself a name. That can be educational. I was just educated on the meaning of the term "plonker" and was pleasantly surprised to see that it is the British equivalent of the American insulting term "schmuck", one of my favorites!

These lovely slang insults are tributes to the evolution of the English language all over the globe. English is successful largely because it accepts whatever we throw into it, so long as it works for those who use it. We are so blessed that we don't have an English equivalent to L Academie Francaise - the OED tells us what people are writing, NOT what is proper English.

So, lets look at these beautiful terms for persons of questionable intelligence, demeanor and value:

Plonker comes from British slang, and is more or less home grown, evolving from the verb plonk... It originally referred to an oft hidden male body part

Schmuck comes from Yiddish, by way of American slang and, it too originally referred to the very same male body part!

Ahh, the English language is such a delight! It is so filled with treasures that blogging can never be boring in this strange and fun lingo.


Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training

Recent Comments

17

Until I went to London in the early-80's, I had never heard the term and had to ask someone exactly what it meant. I thanked him and said in the US we have a similar meaning term, but he was already familiar with it:)

Thanks for that, Brad. When I looked up 'plonker' the definition said 'schmuck' to me, as it did for you back in the 80s. As I think of it, there are other terms from Yiddish that have a similar meaning, such as 'putz' though I think of 'putz' as being even harsher than 'schmuck' though I'm no authority on the topic.

Great insight Steve! The expression "plonker" has been inmmortalised in the English language by its regular use in the 80's tv series Only Fools and Horses, currently having an extended re-run on the channel.

Terry

Thanks for that background, Terry. I like knowing how these terms come into general use, rather than fading into obscurity. We are richer for having them, and it's great when media helps out.

We learn something every day :)

Learn something new today.

Happy to be of service, SK.

Thanks for the definition. jay

Hi Stephen, you are so right..there is never a dull moment when using the English language. Nice post

Is this the kind of music playing in that bar? http://michelesworld.net/dmm/frog/gremlin/plunk.htm

That would make sense if the bar is full of plonkers and schmucks.

Hmm did you just read my new blog post entitled "I am a plonker." Because sometimes I am.
In England it is an affectionate rude name made famous by the old but Gold sit com. "Only fools and horses"
I do hope I inspired this post.
With Grace and Gratitude
Karen

Yes, I did. Quite often I am a plonker too. Of course you inspired the post, Karen.

Actually, schmuck is occasionally used in a semi-affectionate way, too, but generally it is a bit more snarky. I sort of sensed that plonker was a softer insult...
Cheers,
Steve

Great informative post
thanks for sharing

My pleasure, Phillip. Glad you enjoyed it.

wow I would never have guessed that schmuck was any body part term. The things we learn.

-HLTowsley

There are many mild and more severe insults with the same 'root' if you'll pardon a bad pun, Joseph. A few of them include plonker, schmuck, putz, schmeckel and many of the other hundreds of English slang synonyms for this same part.
Cheers,
Steve

See more comments

Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training