wonk
See also: Wonk
English
Etymology
American English student slang 1954; perhaps navy slang before that. "Expert" sense popularized in the Clinton administration, 1993.
Origin uncertain, possibly from wonky (“shaky, unreliable”) or wank, wanker [1], or simply expressive.
Noun
wonk (plural wonks)
- (derogatory, informal) An overly studious person, particularly student; a nerd.
- 2014, Catherine Sheldrick Ross, Pleasures of Reading, The: A Booklover's Alphabet (page 53)
- Previously, e-reading had been the domain of early adopters and new technology wonks.
- 2014, Catherine Sheldrick Ross, Pleasures of Reading, The: A Booklover's Alphabet (page 53)
- (by extension, informal) A policy wonk or other intellectual expert.
Derived terms
Translations
overly studious person
References
- Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “wonk”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
- World Wide Words
- A.Word.A.Day--wonk