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

Drop over to our camp sometime for a little drink, and a little game, eh, pantywaist?

From Project Gutenberg