pantywaist

[pan-tee-weyst]

noun

1. Informal.,  a weak, effeminate man; sissy.

   Synonyms: namby-pamby, milksop, weakling

2. formerly, a child's undergarment consisting of short pants and a shirt that buttoned together at the waist.

adjective

1. weak; fainthearted.

2. Informal.,  childish.

pantywaist

/ ˈpæntɪˌweɪst /

noun

1. a child's undergarment consisting of a shirt and pants buttoned together at the waist

2. informal,  a man or boy considered as childish, lacking in courage, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of pantywaist¹

First recorded in 1925–30; panty + waist

Word History and Origins

Origin of pantywaist¹

C20: from _panties + _waist

Example Sentences

Fox News’ senior political analyst ripped into the school’s “pantywaists” as the nation honored veterans on Monday.

Read more on Washington Times

“This will not be a league for pantywaists and sissies,” McMahon said; the players wore nicknames, such as “He Hate Me,” on the backs of their jerseys.

Read more on The New Yorker

McMahon asked rhetorically at the news conference announcing plans for the original XFL “This will not be a league for pantywaists and sissies.”

Read more on Seattle Times

The liberal pantywaist was removed from the thread.

Read more on New York Times

We can blame free speech carried to irresponsible and obnoxious extremes, and we can blame the pantywaist spinelessness of liberalism.

Read more on Salon