The term "plonker" is a British informal slang term used to describe someone who is foolish, incompetent, or generally prone to making silly mistakes. It carries a somewhat light-hearted connotation and is often used in a teasing or playful context rather than as a harsh insult.
"Plonker" is more commonly found in spoken English than in written contexts, appearing frequently in everyday conversations, especially in British English. It can also be used to refer to oneself, and its frequency has been influenced by the popularity of certain British television shows.
"Don't be such a plonker, you should have checked the instructions first."
"Не будь таким тупицей, тебе следовало сначала проверить инструкции."
"He called me a plonker when I forgot his birthday."
"Он назвал меня тупицей, когда я забыл его день рождения."
"Kicking the ball into the wrong goal made me feel like a total plonker."
"Ударив мяч в неправильные ворота, я почувствовал себя полной тупицей."
While "plonker" itself may not be directly incorporated into many idiomatic expressions, it can be part of colloquial phrases or interactions where humor is intended. Here are some sentences capturing idiomatic expressions featuring the word:
"You were such a plonker when you tried to fix the car without looking at the manual."
"Ты был настоящей тупицей, когда пытался починить машину, не посмотрев руководство."
"Even the cleverest of us can be a plonker at times."
"Даже самые умные из нас иногда могут быть тупицами."
"Don't be a plonker; let someone who's done it before help you."
"Не будь тупицей; позволь тому, кто уже это делал, помочь тебе."
"I felt like a plonker for forgetting my keys in the fridge."
"Я чувствовал себя полным тупицей за то, что забыл ключи в холодильнике."
"She didn’t want to look like a plonker, so she practiced her speech."
"Она не хотела выглядеть тупицей, поэтому репетировала свою речь."
"You’ll be a plonker if you miss the last train home!"
"Ты будешь тупицей, если пропустишь последний поезд домой!"
The origin of "plonker" is somewhat unclear, but it is believed to be derived from the British slang word "plonk," which refers to cheap or inferior wine. The term gained popularity in British English during the 1960s and is often associated with the British television sitcom "Only Fools and Horses," where it was frequently used.