wish-wash
Americannoun
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a drink that is thin and weak.
-
foolish talk or writing; claptrap.
noun
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any thin weak drink
-
rubbishy talk or writing
Etymology
Origin of wish-wash
First recorded in 1780–90; extracted from wishy-washy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“He has common sense. He doesn’t put up with wish-wash; he’s not your standard politician. He stands up for principle and takes care of his people.”
From The Guardian ● Mar. 1, 2016
What they want is wish-wash and slush, and God knows they get it, but not from you.”
From Martin Eden by London, Jack
"His food the land-crab, lizard, or the frog; His drink a wish-wash of six-water grog."
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir
A slice of bread each and the wish-wash of a thrice-brewed pennyworth of tea had been their morning meal, and there was no prospect of dinner.
From Children of the Ghetto A Study of a Peculiar People by Zangwill, Israel
“Bertha, another cup of tea;” “Bertha, some more milk;” “Bertha, you haven’t given me sugar enough by half;” “Bertha, I like strong tea; no wish-wash for me.”
From Marmaduke Merry A Tale of Naval Adventures in Bygone Days by Kingston, William Henry Giles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
