Calling people a “plonker” like Del Boy is on the verge of dying out.
The insult, one of the Only Fools and Horses character’s favourites, is one of many which are being phased out by younger generations.
As many as 60% of Gen Z said they’d never heard of it – while other put-downs labelled “old fashioned” are berk, nitwit, numpty and git.
Nearly half of Brits under the age of 28 didn’t have a clue what a “cad”, which refers to an unreliable character, was.
And 60% had not heard the insult “berk”, meaning “idiot”, according to the study by research agency, Perspectus Global.
Another 62% hadn’t heard of “lummox”, the East Anglian term for a clumsy person and 60% were left scratching their heads over “bampot”, a Scottish term meaning a fool.
(Image: BBC)
Instead youngsters prefer more modern insults such as “don’t be a Karen”, or “you’re so basic”
Harriet Scott, CEO of research agency Perspectus Global, said: “Language changes, evolves and moves on.
“Our research shows that calling someone a plonker or a prat is no longer a fashionable way to insult them.
“Interestingly, the research highlights the extent to which Brits feel some of the more traditional jibes, feel softer and less severe, than some of today’s more controversial ones.
“It has been fascinating researching thousands of old insults such “mooncalf” which used to mean a fool – or “Cozener” meaning a trickster dating back to Shakespearean England”.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
