wishy-wash
Look at other dictionaries:
Wishy-washy — Wish y wash y, a. [See {Wash}.] Thin and pale; weak; without strength or substance; originally said of liquids. Fig., weak minded; spiritless. [1913 Webster] A weak wishy washy man who had hardly any mind of his own. A. Trollope. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Wishy-washy — Wish y wash y, n. A weak or thin drink or liquor; wish wash. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
wishy-washy — 1690s, feeble or poor in quality, reduplication of washy thin, watery (see WASH (Cf. wash)). Meaning vacillating first recorded 1873 … Etymology dictionary
wash v — wishy washy adj, washed out adj … English expressions
wishy-washy — wish|y wash|y [ˈwıʃi ˌwɔʃi US ˌwo:ʃi, ˌwa:ʃi] adj informal [Date: 1600 1700; Origin: washy thin, watery (16 20 centuries), from wash] 1.) someone who is wishy washy does not have firm or clear ideas and seems unable to decide what they want used… … Dictionary of contemporary English
wishy-washy — wish•y wash•y [[t]ˈwɪʃ iˌwɒʃ i, ˌwɔ ʃi[/t]] adj. 1) lacking in decisiveness; without strength or character; irresolute 2) washy or watery, as a liquid; thin and weak • Etymology: 1685–95; gradational compound based on washy wish′y wash i•ly, adv … From formal English to slang
wishy-washily — |wishē|]wȯshə̇lē, ishi|], ]wäsh , ]wȯish , li, chiefly in substand speech ]wȯrsh or ]wärsh adverb : in a wishy washy manner : insipidly … Useful english dictionary
wishy-washy — wish|y wash|y [ ,wıʃi waʃi ] adjective INFORMAL not strong or definite … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
wish|y-wash|y — «WIHSH ee WOSH ee, WSH », adjective. 1. thin and weak; insipid; watery: »wishy washy soup with no flavor. 2. Figurative. feeble; weak; poor: »a wishy washy excuse, a wishy washy attitude … Useful english dictionary
wish-wash — wish′ wash n. 1) a drink that is thin and weak 2) foolish talk or writing; claptrap • Etymology: 1780–90; extracted from wishy washy … From formal English to slang
wish-wash — /wish wosh , wawsh /, n. 1. a drink that is thin and weak. 2. foolish talk or writing; claptrap. [1780 90; extracted from WISHY WASHY] * * * … Universalium
