etymology






 

Question by  dobie66 (1)

What's the origin of the word "wonky"?

 
+7

Answer by  Shifter (96)

Wonky comes from the Middle English dialectal alteration of wanky, an alteration of wankle. It is an adjective meaning shaky or unsteady.

 
+6

Answer by  vlcmgrl1698 (6)

As I understand this word my closest guess would be German, as a child my Oma used to laugh at small children and say they were "wonken" like a teeter-totter. Since wonky can mean unsteady, not quite right or unusual this would be my best and morst accurate and fair assumption.

 
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