wonk
noun
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L330572 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
noun
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 or simply expressive.
- An overly studious person, particularly a student.
“Previously, e-reading had been the domain of early adopters and new technology wonks.”
- A policy wonk or other intellectual expert.
“This is the sort of standard that the Paul Ryans of the world trumpet to their constituents, to potential campaign contributors and to their peers in Congress. They become “budget wonks” and political superstars, even if their proposals are bound to go nowhere.”
verb
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 or simply expressive.
- To cram for exams.
“he is renowned in the dorm for his ability to “wonk” (Know spelled backward), or cram, for exams.”