wimp
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also WIMP
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Contraction of "whimper", a sound a wimp might make. The term is rumored to have come from "Wimps", a group of French Roma who were kicked out of France, then moved to England and were kicked out again, then moved to the United States. The term was understood in the United States by the 1930s, as it was incorporated into the names of two famous media characters known for living up to that name: The devious but cowardly Popeye supporting character called "J. Wellington Wimpy", and the soft-spoken character "Wallace Wimple" from the radio show Fibber McGee and Molly.
[edit] Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -ɪmp
[edit] Noun
wimp (plural wimps)
- (pejorative, slang) someone who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy
- Alternative spelling of WIMP.
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations
someone who lacks confidence
[edit] Verb
wimp (third-person singular simple present wimps, present participle wimping, simple past and past participle wimped)
- (intransitive) To behave submissively, inde.
- 1994, Paul Lyons, Class of '66: Living in Suburban Middle America, page 156:
- "They were wimping along and I was accomplished," she asserts with some pride and a touch of arrogance.
- 1994, Paul Lyons, Class of '66: Living in Suburban Middle America, page 156:
- (transitive) To render wimpy.
- 2003, Andrea Schulte-Peevers, California, page 69:
- If you're particularly fond of Foster's, Heineken or Moosehead at home, you will be disappointed to find that it's been wimped down for the American market.
- 2003, Andrea Schulte-Peevers, California, page 69:
[edit] Finnish
[edit] Etymology
According to the English abbreviation.
[edit] Noun
wimp
[edit] Declension
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Declension of wimp (type risti)
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