The term ‘gooner’ has become popular slang on social media, but its meaning can be confusing as it varies depending on your location.
Comments under the post are full of American netizens confused as to what the term ‘gooner’ means in the United Kingdom — because it has a very specific connotation in the US.
what does gooner mean in britishbecause this is very funny
Have no fear: we’re here to explain what the word ‘gooner’ means, and why its definition might change from place to place.
‘Gooning,’ ‘Gooner’ definitions explained
For the uninitiated, the word ‘gooning’ has a pretty naughty meaning in America (and in general online slang).
That’s not the only naughty meaning the word has. Other definitions claim the term also refers to someone who is “completely and miserablyaddicted to p*rn, but [who] embraces and loves it.”
However, the word ‘gooner’ doesn’t always mean something so carnal. In fact, it actually has a rather wholesome meaning across the pond, where football fans (soccer, for the Americans reading this) use it to describe someone who’s a fan of theArsenal football club.
This term first gained traction thanks to the club’s nickname, the Gunners, which, over time, became Gooners. Now, when someone proudly says they’re a ‘Gooner,’ they’re likely referring to their favorite football team…but you might want to ask them to clarify, just in case.
Of course, the word ‘goon’ has other meanings, too. According to theMerriam-Webster dictionary,the term can also refer to a “stupid person,” as well as “a man hired to terrorize or eliminate opponents.”
So, while ‘goon’ might have a few different definitions, the context of the situation and where you’re located might help to inform what someone means when they use it — although thanks to the internet, the phrase has taken on an entirely different meaning.
Virginia Glaze is Dexerto’s Entertainment Editor in the US. She expertly covers trending stories across Twitch, Kick, YouTube, and TikTok – as well as fighting games and influencer boxing. Virginia also has bylines at Red Bull, GINX, and Bandai Namco. Contact her here: virginia.glaze@dexerto.com
