wish-wash

American  

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

noun

1. a drink that is thin and weak.

2. foolish talk or writing; claptrap.

---

wish-wash British  

noun

1. any thin weak drink

2. rubbishy talk or writing

---

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

What they want is wish-wash and slush, and God knows they get it, but not from you.”

From Martin Eden by London, Jack

“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

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.

No: look at the buoy, wish-wash, rolling lazily, bobbing in the water, a lazy, idle cask, with nothing in the world to do on this day of busy mischief.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 11, No. 23, February, 1873 by Various