Why do the British use words like "Wanker" "Knickers" and "Cheers"?

Question

What do those words mean and where do they come from?

By the way, I love Americans, and I love the British. Great answers everyone, all in good fun. Thank you, and -- Cheers!

Answer 1

W**k** is actually an insulting term used to alledge that a person masturbates frequently.

Cheers means thanks

Knickers is underwear.

Answer 2

wanker is a term for a "jerk-idiot" or masturbation, think it's dderived from an old type of engine, perhaps needed a crank(?)

knickers are underwear

cheers is a pretty commonly used word on this side of the pond, means the same thing here and is dervied from cheer as in good cheer

Answer 3

British/ American
Wanker/ F*cker
Knickers/ Pants
Cheers/ Here Here!

Answer 4

The same reason Americans use words like "dude" and "cool" and "pimp my ride." It's called slang and it comes from when a popular person has the confidence to use an original word for something others think sounds good, or impressive, so they imitate him and use it.

Answer 5

Because it is English...after all...English did originate in England, so why are you having a go mate? Our language is not slang, it is English for it originated here :)

There is all kinds of English...Cockney rhyming slang, forest of dean speak, you get a different dialect of English for every town in England you go to.

You speak American or as we say, yank, don't you?

Answer 6

that english people meaning us from noth america have changed the language around so we sound or use differnt terms then the british.

Answer 7

The same reason we use "dude", "tighty whiteys" and "whats up" It is slang!

Answer 8

Oh c'mon don't give me that jazz!