| 释义 |
Milquetoast orig. U.S.|ˈmɪlktəʊst|
Also with small initial.
[f. the name of Caspar Milquetoast, a cartoon character created by H. T. Webster in 1924.]
A timid or unforthcoming person. Also attrib. or as adj.
1938M. Fishback Safe Conduct vi. 70 Don't be a Milquetoast either, and be afraid to add it [sc. the bill] up. 1939C. Morley Kitty Foyle xxx. 305 What is it makes a man with brains so milquetoast when he gets away from the blackboard? 1961M. Beadle These Ruins are Inhabited iii. 34 American men are Milquetoasts. 1972L. O'Donnell Phone Calls vi. 73 You couldn't expect Norah to respect a Milquetoast. 1973Observer (Colour Suppl.) 4 Nov. 12/3 Any of those milquetoast settings that Britten gave Wilfred Owen's poems in the ‘War Requiem’. 1974Ottawa Citizen 3 Sept. 71/1 I'm wondering if a judge would let me change my perfectly good but milquetoast name to something no one will forget, like—Jake Sexchamp. |