wish-wash, n.
(ˈwɪʃwɒʃ)
[Reduplicated formation from wash n. (cf. sense 11 s.v.).]
1. A contemptuous name for weak, insipid, or unsubstantial drink (or liquid food). Also attrib. or adj. = wishy-washy 1.
| 1786 A. M. Bennett Juvenile Indiscr. II. 36 The fish was ill-dressed, the soup mere wishwash. 1803 M. Charlton Wife & Mistress IV. 50, I an't been used to her wish-washes, and her Cocoa. 18.. in Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. (1867) 736 His drink a wish-wash of six-water grog. 1896 Baring-Gould Broom-Squire xvi. 120 He must have ale, not wish-wash tea. |
2. fig. Wishy-washy talk or writing.
| 1842 Howitt Rur. & Dom. Life Germany 479 You also find the trashiest wish-wash of Lady Blessington..just as much in vogue. 1885 S. A. Brooke in Jacks Life (1917) II. 378, I talked sense, and was grimly resolved to give the exact opposite of ―'s wish-wash. |