Where did the phrase namby pamby come from?
Namby-pamby is a term for affected, weak, and maudlin speech/verse. It originates from Namby Pamby (1725) by Henry Carey. Carey wrote his poem as a satire of Ambrose Philips and published it in his Poems on Several Occasions.
How do you use namby pamby?
Let us make no mistake about it; let us not be namby-pamby about it. That should not be seen as a sloppy, namby-pamby approach to prisoners. I am sorry to put it so strongly but it is no good being namby-pamby in politics.
How do you spell mamby pamby?
noun, plural nam·by-pam·bies for 4. a namby-pamby person: written by and for namby-pambies. namby-pamby sentiment: the harmless namby-pamby of a birthday card.
What do stately means?
Definition of stately 1a : marked by lofty or imposing dignity. b : haughty, unapproachable. 2 : impressive in size or proportions.
What is the meaning of Niminy Piminy?
affectedly refined :
Definition of niminy-piminy : affectedly refined : finicky.
What is the synonym of stately?
Some common synonyms of stately are grandiose, grand, imposing, magnificent, and majestic. While all these words mean “large and impressive,” stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.
What does a stately house mean?
a large and impressive old home
: a large and impressive old home that has an interesting history and that can usually be visited by the public.
What is the meaning of word priggish?
adjective. fussy about trivialities or propriety, especially in a self-righteous or irritating manner:At the beginning of the book, Eustace is an unpleasant, unlikable, and priggish character.
Where did the term straight laced come from?
straitlaced or straight-laced adjective: Excessively strict, rigid, old-fashioned, or prudish. ETYMOLOGY: From Middle English streit (narrow), from Old French estreit, from Latin strictus, past participle of stringere (to bind, draw tight) + laqueus (noose). Earliest documented use: 1630.
What is Widdle?
1 chiefly dialectal : struggle. 2 chiefly dialectal : wriggle.
What is the opposite of weakling?
Opposite of an ineffectual or cowardly person. powerhouse. stalwart. strongman. hero.
What is the meaning of namby-pamby?
Definition of namby-pamby 1 : lacking in character or substance : insipid 2 : weak, indecisive Other Words from namby-pamby Synonyms Did you know?
What is the meaning of namby pamby Liberal?
Lacking vigor or decisiveness; weak or spineless: accused by conservatives of being a namby-pamby liberal. n.pl.nam·by-pam·bies One that is weak, sentimental, or indecisive. [After Namby-Pamby, , a satire on the poetry of Ambrose Philips (1674-1749) by Henry Carey (1687?-1743).]
Who wrote the poem Namby-Pamby?
Carey was the first to put it into print, in the poem Namby-Pamby, circa 1725: All ye poets of the age, All ye witlings of the stage … Namby-Pamby is your guide, Albion’s joy, Hibernia’s pride. Namby-Pamby, pilly-piss, Rhimy-pim’d on Missy Miss Tartaretta Tartaree From the navel to the knee;
How did namby-pamby get his nickname?
His contemporaries Henry Carey, John Gay, Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift combined the cloying nursery reduplication in Philips’ work with his first name and came up with a nickname for him – Namby-Pamby. Carey was the first to put it into print, in the poem Namby-Pamby, circa 1725: All ye witlings of the stage … Albion’s joy, Hibernia’s pride.