Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Oct 10, 2018 18:32
6 yrs ago
2 viewers *
English term
Jack off
Non-PRO
English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
My suggestion to all young people, if you can just hear me clearly. Don't do what I did. Most people I know. mess off all of their 20s. From 20 to 29, they just jack it off. They just jack off their 20s. They mess them up.
Speech by Steve Harvey
Speech by Steve Harvey
Responses
| 4 +8 | waste time |
Theodore Ma
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| 4 +6 | masturbate |
Tony M
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| 4 +1 | fritter away |
Yorkshireman
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Responses
+8
14 mins
Theodore Ma
United States
United States
Native in English
&
English
United States
Specialized in modern German history
Native in: English (Variants: US, Canadian) 
, Korean (Variant: South Korea)
Works in: Korean to English, German to English, English
Selected
waste time
I think this definition is the most fitting for the context.
3. verb, vulgar slang To waste or pass time idly or by doing nothing or engaging in foolish behavior.
However, at least among the younger folks in the US, it's most commonly used as a slang for male masturbation.
3. verb, vulgar slang To waste or pass time idly or by doing nothing or engaging in foolish behavior.
However, at least among the younger folks in the US, it's most commonly used as a slang for male masturbation.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you so much and thanks everyone!"
+6
7 mins
masturbate
Though of course, the way it is being used here is purely figurative!
In essence, it might simply mean "wasting time at pointless pursuits"; but in fact, the way it is worded tends to suggest something more, so perhaps more in the sense of "squandered their youth away" — which fits with another expression commonly used: "misspent youth"
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Note added at 1 hr (2018-10-10 19:53:05 GMT)
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Yes, to a certain extent; thiugh really, it's more about wasting their young years, not making the most of them. I.e. not necessarily making a mess of them, just not taking advantage of those precious years.
In essence, it might simply mean "wasting time at pointless pursuits"; but in fact, the way it is worded tends to suggest something more, so perhaps more in the sense of "squandered their youth away" — which fits with another expression commonly used: "misspent youth"
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Note added at 1 hr (2018-10-10 19:53:05 GMT)
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Yes, to a certain extent; thiugh really, it's more about wasting their young years, not making the most of them. I.e. not necessarily making a mess of them, just not taking advantage of those precious years.
Note from asker:
| So, it's used in the same sense as 'mess off' and mess up'? |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Alice Yang (X)
33 mins
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Thanks, Alice!
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| agree |
Shera Lyn Parpia
1 hr
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Thank you, Shera!
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| agree |
Daryo
2 hrs
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Thanks, Daryo!
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| agree |
Robert Forstag
: When one person asks another if he is “going to do something, or just sit around and jack off all day,” he usually is not literally referring to masturbation.... 😊
2 hrs
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Thanks, Robert! Quite, that's why I was at pains to explain firt the literal and then the figurative usage — to help Asker undesratdn the idea.
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| agree |
B D Finch
: It is important to be aware of the literal meaning, to avoid using the term figuaratively in circumstances where it would be inappropriate.
14 hrs
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Thanks, B! My sentiments exactly!
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| agree |
BdiL
: Yes. Literal / figurative. But Farouk should get to the bottom of the issue fully. (It's a speech that he probably is not translating.) Salut Tony!
16 hrs
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Merci... et salut !
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+1
2 hrs
fritter away
Try this solution if you have readers who prefer it a little "cleaner".
to squander or disperse piecemeal; waste little by little (usually followed by away), as in "frittering away their time".
In Yorkshire, we would say: "doin' bugger-all all day" or "layin' abaht an doin' nowt"
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Note added at 2 hrs (2018-10-10 20:46:23 GMT)
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"hanging around or hanging about" would other clean alternatives
to squander or disperse piecemeal; waste little by little (usually followed by away), as in "frittering away their time".
In Yorkshire, we would say: "doin' bugger-all all day" or "layin' abaht an doin' nowt"
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Note added at 2 hrs (2018-10-10 20:46:23 GMT)
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"hanging around or hanging about" would other clean alternatives
Example sentence:
to fritter away one's money; to fritter away an afternoon.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tina Vonhof (X)
: Also an option.
3 hrs
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Thanks Tina
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