wimp

Meanings

Noun

• someone who lacks confidence or courage, is weak, ineffectual, irresolute and wishy-washy
• Alternate spelling of WIMP

Verb

• To behave submissively.
• To render wimpy.

Origin

• Possible contraction of "whimper". 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.