“Wobbly” means unbalanced or unstable, mentally or physically. “Wonky” can be used interchangeably with “wobbly” for physical instability or to describe eccentric behavior. In modern times, “wonky” can describe detail-oriented workaholics in politics or business, but it can also create an unhealthy obsession with perfection. Former President Bill Clinton’s work sessions with motivated aides were described as “shaky.”
In the oldest sense of the word, wobbly means to be unbalanced or unstable, especially when applied to one’s mental or emotional state. It could also apply to a physical instability, such as a loose wheel on an old cart or a precariously balanced load. One could say that a mentally unstable relative has gotten a little wobbly in recent years, or a car’s steering wheel has gotten more wobbly after an accident. “Wonky” can often be used interchangeably with “wobbly” when describing a physical instability, or together with “crazy”, “crazy”, or “batty” when describing a person’s altered mental state.
Wonky in the sense of physical or mental derangement is said to date back several centuries, most likely coined in England. Some sources suggest that author Roald Dahl used the wobbly as the basis of one of his best known characters, the eccentric candy factory owner Willy Wonka. Wonka’s bizarre meanders and curious murmurs definitely meet the ‘wonky’ criteria. “Wonky” is often applied to the behavior of true eccentrics, as opposed to those with more severe mental conditions. Flaky behavior is not necessarily dangerous behavior.
In a more modern sense of work, “wonky” could be applied to very detail-oriented or self-motivated workaholics. The term “wonk” may have originally been used to describe a particularly studious college student, but it eventually expanded to include politicians and business leaders who are completely consumed with details or politics. A political zealot, for example, cannot leave office until the wording of a bill is exactly right. A business or law expert may not sleep until the final lines of a contract have been thoroughly reviewed. Such flaky behavior may have professional benefits, but it can create the appearance of an unhealthy obsession with perfection or detail.
Former President Bill Clinton’s nightly work sessions with equally motivated aides could clearly be described as shaky. Sometimes the synergy of working with other detail-oriented colleagues can create a competitive atmosphere where everyone tries to be more eccentric than the others. While flaky behavior often yields significant results, some question the value of sacrificing a personal life for professional gain.
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