[Lexicog] Origin and synonyms of "wimp"

[Allan Johnson]

Hi Fritz,

I don't see a way to translate it as a derogatory term.  If I were to be accused of "understanding women", it would come across to me as a compliment.  I think that to seek such understanding is a worthy goal for a man - particularly if he's married : )  

Allan

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Fritz Goerling 
  To: lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 5:39 AM
  Subject: RE: [Lexicog] Origin and synonyms of "wimp"


  A man with effeminate, unmanly characteristics that are opposed to the usual stereotypical macho male behaviour 
  would be a "Tunte" in German. That term is very derogatory. There is a social game among men in Germany
  nowadays, where men "insult"/tease one another as "wimps" by all kinds of terms (over 2000 already and new ones are
  coined every day). Among the top ones is "Frauenversteher" = a man who understands women. Is there a good
  translation of that one into English?

  Fritz Goerling

  Don't know about the etymology of wimp, but an American English synonym is 
  ' wuss.' That one's origins seem clear: 'pussy' (derogatory, feminine 
  acting male) => puss => wuss.  Some would say that using the word 'wuss' 
  marks one as a 'wuss,' reluctant to use the less PC original term.

  Jim Long

  At 12:18 AM 6/25/2005 +0200, you wrote:
  >Where does "wimp" come from?
  >What are some of its  "synonyms" in English (American, British, or other 
  >variants of English)?
  >
  >Fritz Goerling



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