milquetoast

Meanings

• adjective

  A person who is overly cautious, submissive, and lacks assertiveness or strength of character.

  - "His boss was a milquetoast who never made tough decisions."
  - "The milquetoast candidate was easily intimidated by the interviewer."

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Pronunciation

1. /ˈmɪlktəʊst/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=90008043"

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Synonyms

softy , wimp , wuss , feeble , ineffectual , insipid

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with milquetoast
toast , boast , coast

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Variants

List of all variants of milquetoast that leads to same result
milquetoast , milquetoasts

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally, a character in a comic strip by Nat Gross in the New York World (1914–1915), named 'Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, Milquetoast'. The name is believed to have originated from 'mild quail toast', a dish that was popular in the early 20th century.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'milquetoast' is also used to describe foods that are bland or lacking in flavor.

2. In the comic strip 'Barney Google and Snuffy Smith', the character Milquetoast was a frequent target of the character 'Snuffy Smith'.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. timid: Related concept: A person who is timid is fearful, shy, or lacking in confidence. Milquetoasts are often described as timid because they lack the courage to assert themselves.

2. doormat: Related concept: A doormat is a person who is easily taken advantage of or manipulated by others. Milquetoasts can be considered doormats because they lack the strength to stand up for themselves.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

The term 'milquetoast' has been used extensively in literature, particularly in satirical and humorous contexts, to describe characters who lack courage, conviction, or decisiveness. It is often used to criticize or mock such individuals.

How to Memorize "milquetoast"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a person who is overly cautious, submissive, and lacks assertiveness. Imagine them making decisions that are not in their best interest.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'milquetoast' with the image of a weak or submissive person. Remember the comic strip character 'Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson'.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic by associating the word 'milquetoast' with the phrase 'Mildly Intimidated, Lacking Quiet Assertiveness, Timid, Overly Submissive, And Terrified'.

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