noun General Slang

spanner

· noun · mancunian

An idiot. A daft sod. Someone being a tool.

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Definitions

1

A daft person. Affectionate when it's your mate, cutting when it's not. Covers the full range from 'forgot his keys again' to 'genuine liability'.

“He's locked himself out twice this week, the spanner.”
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2

The actual hand tool — the metal thing for turning nuts and bolts. Standard British English for what Americans call a wrench. The insult sense rides on top of this one.

“Pass us the 10mm spanner, it's in the toolbox.”
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spanner In A Sentence

He's locked himself out twice this week, the spanner.
Pass us the 10mm spanner, it's in the toolbox.

Origin & Usage

British workshop logic — calling someone a tool, but make it specific. A spanner is the dimmest, bluntest tool in the box, so the metaphor writes itself. Common across the North but lived-in in Manchester.

Variants spanners
Tags #mancunian#manchester#insult#british#slang

People Also Ask

What does "spanner" mean as an insult?

It means an idiot or a daft sod — someone being a tool.

How do you use "spanner" in a sentence?

"He locked his keys in the car again — what a spanner."

Is calling someone a "spanner" rude?

It's a mild, jokey British insult — cheeky rather than genuinely offensive, though still calling someone daft.

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