milquetoast

Definition

Meek, timid; lacking character or effectiveness.

Etymology

Named after Caspar Milquetoast, a character from the comic strip The Timid Soul, created by American cartoonist Harold Tucker Webster (1885–1952) and first published in 1924; the character was named after the American dish milk toast (“a food consisting of toasted bread in warm milk”).

Example Sentences

• "The truth is that we are cursed with a "milquetoast" Government operating under "milquetoast" policies. Fear has become a national policy."
• "If Bach had any guts, he wouldn't take that. He's too much of a Milquetoast guy."
• "I should have listened to my mother when she told me to stay out of journalism because of idiot milquetoast jerk reporters like you!"