wishy-washy

== English == === Etymology === Reduplication of washy; more at Wikipedia under ablaut reduplication. The wish portion of the term is explained much more by the ablaut reduplication than by any coincidental semantic appropriateness (such as that wishy-washy people wish that they could have it both ways), although the latter effect may play some nonzero cognitive role in word-finding. Compare also swish, swash, splish, and splash regarding any possible sound symbolism. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈwɪʃ.iˌwɒʃ.i/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈwɪʃ.iˌwɑ.ʃi/, /ˈwɪʃ.iˌwɔ.ʃi/ === Adjective === wishy-washy (comparative wishy-washier or more wishy-washy, superlative wishy-washiest or most wishy-washy) Wavering; lacking in commitment, certainty, support, and (often) clarity; namby-pamby. Coordinate terms: murky, opaque; unhelpful, wobbling Near-synonyms: vacillating, vacillatory Thin or watery. Near-synonyms: watered-down, diluted, dilute ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ====