I know several people in the US who use the verb and noun forms of "wank" synonymously with "whine" (perhaps because they both have the same starting consonant

I know several people in the US who use the verb and noun forms of "wank" synonymously with "whine" (perhaps because they both have the same starting consonant sound) without realizing how vulgar it is. I've gently pointed out to them what it means in British English and none seem to care.