wish-wash

American  

[wish-wosh, -wawsh] / ˈwɪʃˌwɒʃ, -ˌwɔʃ /

noun

1. a drink that is thin and weak.

2. foolish talk or writing; claptrap.

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wish-wash British  

noun

1. any thin weak drink

2. rubbishy talk or writing

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Etymology

Origin of wish-wash

First recorded in 1780–90; extracted from wishy-washy

Example Sentences

“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

"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

“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

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

Not a bad exchange for the Frenchman’s wish-wash claret, I suspect.”

From Ronald Morton, or the Fire Ships A Story of the Last Naval War by Hoggans, T.