Etymology

wimp

W4I1M3P3

Today it means: Someone who lacks confidence or courage, is weak, ineffectual, irresolute and wishy-washy. Full definition →

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wimp · noun, verb, adjective1

Possibly a clipping 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.

wimp · noun2

See WIMP.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.