I. |nambē|pambē, |naam...aambē, -bi...bi adjective
Etymology: from Namby Pamby, nickname given to Ambrose Philips died 1749 English poet by some satirists of his time to ridicule the style of his verses
1. : characterized by feeble sentimentality or insipid and artificial prettiness or elegance
namby-pamby rhymes
2.
a. of a person : lacking in vigor or manliness : weak, trifling, or childish in character or behavior
namby-pamby boys afraid to leave their mothers' apron strings
b. : lacking in real worth, substance, or quality : unduly lax, soft, or conciliatory
the namby-pamby handling of juvenile delinquents
namby-pamby educational standards
II. noun
( -es )
: something (as talk, writing, or a person) that is namby-pamby