Early "wimp"

[Jonathan Lighter]

George Ade used "wimp" in the '20s, a uniquely early ex. Here's one that comes as the nickname of the milquetoast character "Wallace Wimple" on the very popular _Fibber McGee and Molly_ radio show:

  1942 _Fibber McGee & Molly_ (Apr. 7) [modern transcript here:  www.genericradio.com/images/Fibber_Scrap_Drive.pdf ]: Wimple: ...I went down this morning and tried to join the Marines. Sweety-face [his wife] went with me to give her consent.  Fibber: Did they take you, Wimp? ... You mean Sweety-face is in the Marines now, Wimp? ... Go see Doc Coddem, Wimp. ... Naw, we're all finished, Wimp.  [Etc.]

  I don't know if the name "Wimp" was broadcast before this episode.

  Interestingly enough, HDAS's next ex. of "wimp" comes from an account of the Marines on Guadalcanal published in 1943.  The word is very rare in print before the mid '60's.

  Wallace Wimple's voice is more or less identical to that of absurdly retiring and incompetent males in Merrie Melodies cartoons.

  JL


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