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

Fox News’ senior political analyst ripped into the school’s “pantywaists” as the nation honored veterans on Monday.

From Washington Times

“This will not be a league for pantywaists and sissies,” McMahon said; the players wore nicknames, such as “He Hate Me,” on the backs of their jerseys.

From The New Yorker

McMahon asked rhetorically at the news conference announcing plans for the original XFL “This will not be a league for pantywaists and sissies.”

From Seattle Times

The liberal pantywaist was removed from the thread.

From New York Times

We can blame free speech carried to irresponsible and obnoxious extremes, and we can blame the pantywaist spinelessness of liberalism.

From Salon