pantywaist
Definition
Noun: 1. A timid, weak, or ineffectual man or boy; a person considered childish, unassertive, or lacking in courage. This term is used as a derogatory label implying that someone is not manly or strong, often by comparing them to a child wearing a type of undergarment.
Usage and Examples
- Noun:
- The bullies called him a pantywaist because he preferred reading to playing football.
- Don't be such a pantywaist; stand up for yourself and voice your opinion in the meeting.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in a pejorative or insulting context to question someone's masculinity, toughness, or maturity. Its use is generally considered offensive and dated.
Variants and Related Words
- Pantywaist can function attributively as an adjective in informal contexts, though this is less common.
- He dismissed their concerns with a pantywaist attitude.
Synonyms
- Weakling
- Milksop
- Coward
- Sissy (also offensive)
- Wimp (informal)
Antonyms
- Tough guy
- Braveheart
- Hero
- Stalwart
Notes on Usage
- Register: This word is informal and strongly derogatory. Its usage has declined and it is now considered somewhat archaic, though still understood as an insult.
- Connotation: The insult carries connotations of infantilization and effeminacy, deriving from a historical comparison to a child's undergarment. It is important to understand its offensive nature.
Noun
-
a timid man or boy considered childish or unassertive
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