Bonked

I have come across the phrase "I bonked" referring to being on a bike a couple of times recently. I was somewhat taken aback initially. Then I was intrigued as to how such a thing could be managed :confused: Then I decided that this term must mean something different in the US than it does in the UK (separated by a common language and all that). If it does not mean something different, then I'm back to being intrigued and maybe even a little alarmed! :eek:

In the UK 'I bonked' means I got frisky and did the business in lurve!!;)

lol. Your definition is way more exciting than ours. I think I'd like to have that exciting of a life, maybe.

But anyways, when someone says they bonked while on a bike ride, they just mean that they ran out of energy - generally fixed or avoided by using some energy gel or drink.

LOL, well I guess if the British version is does right, energy gell or a drink might still be beneficial ;)

Well, context really matters where this term is concerned - it also means that in the US side of the pond. When I first started hearing this word used in a cycling context my inner teenager had a great time with it :D

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Originally Posted by Catrin

Well, context really matters where this term is concerned - it also means that in the US side of the pond. When I first started hearing this word used in a cycling context my inner teenager had a great time with it :D

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On this side of the US that meaning is covered by the word "boink."

"Bonk" over here is the onomatopoeia meaning to hit something "I bonked my head on the wall" or to hit the metaphorical wall while riding "I bonked while climbing Phinney Ridge."

Or at least that's what those words meant 30 years ago, when I was a teenager. :rolleyes:

Perhaps it was just a regional thing then. Where I grew up there was a decided sexual context (if crude) - as well as the "hitting a barrier" meaning.

yeah, I guess in the dim years of my adolescence, I remember bonk as an action verb. Oh wait, I grew up on the east coast...
We mostly bonk our heads here nowadays though.
But here's OUR definition: To watch a cyclist bonking is pretty strange. they get goofy and spacy. they can be revived with time with plenty of liquid and some food.

I defiantly recall the term being used both as a sports term and slag or derogatory term for something sexual...

I'm almost sure it was an 80's ad campaign that featured the phrase after a famous athlete "bonked" in a big event or something like that.

Just for you guys:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bonk

According to it, the term bonk has fallen out of use by cyclists because of the alternative sexual meanings.

We are behind the times, girls.

Lol! I've never heard "bonk" used in a sexual way in the US. Could be that it's regional or generational, though.

Cataboo, I looked at the link and I see the last example used by cyclist is I bonked really badly. Now no-one wants to bonk badly :o

We had a guy running for local office around here recently whose name is Dr. Bonk.

Language is so fun. In the US one might say "Goodness, I'm stuffed" after a big meal."

Probably not a good idea in the UK, or at least it wasn't when I went there some time ago.

My sympathies to Dr. Bonk, though if he's running for office it must not bother him.

uhoh what does stuffed mean in the UK?

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Originally Posted by stella2

I have come across the phrase "I bonked" referring to being on a bike a couple of times recently. I was somewhat taken aback initially. Then I was intrigued as to how such a thing could be managed :confused: Then I decided that this term must mean something different in the US than it does in the UK (separated by a common language and all that). If it does not mean something different, then I'm back to being intrigued and maybe even a little alarmed! :eek:

In the UK 'I bonked' means I got frisky and did the business in lurve!!;)

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My parents are from the UK and so I got exposed to a lot of British TV growing up. I had to explain this definition to my boyfriend when I first got into cycling...after I stopped laughing. I think I actually said "You can do that on a bike? Damn, you're talented!"