wank: /wangk/ n.,v.,adj. [Columbia University: prob. by
mutation from Commonwealth slang v. `wank', to masturbate] Used much
as hack is elsewhere, as a noun denoting a clever technique or
person or the result of such cleverness. May describe (negatively)
the act of hacking for hacking's sake ("Quit wanking, let's go get
supper!") or (more positively) a wizard. Adj. `wanky' describes
something particularly clever (a person, program, or algorithm).
Conversations can also get wanky when there are too many wanks
involved. This excess wankiness is signalled by an overload of the
`wankometer' (compare bogometer). When the wankometer overloads,
the conversation's subject must be changed, or all non-wanks will
leave. Compare `neep-neeping' (under neep-neep). Usage: U.S.
only. In Britain and the Commonwealth this word is _extremely_ rude
and is best avoided unless one intends to give offense. Adjectival
`wanky' is less offensive and simply means `stupid' or `broken'
(this is mainstream in Great Britain).
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