Possibly a clipping of whimper. The term was understood in the United States by the 1930s, as it was incorporated into the names of two famous media characters known for living up to that name: The devious but cowardly Popeye supporting-character called "J. Wellington Wimpy", and the soft-spoken character "Wallace Wimple" from the radio show Fibber McGee and Molly.
Possibly a clipping of whimper. The term was understood in the United States by the 1930s, as it was incorporated into the names of two famous media characters known for living up to that name: The devious but cowardly Popeye supporting-character called "J. Wellington Wimpy", and the soft-spoken character "Wallace Wimple" from the radio show Fibber McGee and Molly.
Meanings
(derogatory, slang) Someone who lacks confidence or courage, is weak, ineffectual, irresolute and wishy-washy.
(see title) 1980 March 15, “MUSH FROM THE WIMP”, in The Boston Globe:
gl monifate (someone who lacks confidence) · es pelele (someone who lacks confidence) · it vigliacco (someone who lacks confidence) · pl pierdoła (someone who lacks confidence) · de Schwächling (someone who lacks confidence) · it femminuccia (someone who lacks confidence) · pt banana (someone who lacks confidence) · cs padavka (someone who lacks confidence) · it pauroso (someone who lacks confidence) · id pecundang (someone who lacks confidence) · it pollo (someone who lacks confidence) · el φοβητσιάρης (someone who lacks confidence) · ga meatachán (someone who lacks confidence) · ru тря́пка (someone who lacks confidence) · nn pyse (someone who lacks confidence) · cs třasořitka (someone who lacks confidence) · it codardo (someone who lacks confidence) · sv fjant (someone who lacks confidence) · da svagpisser (someone who lacks confidence) · br flakenn (someone who lacks confidence) · ja 弱虫 (someone who lacks confidence) · pl mięczak (someone who lacks confidence) · it pusillanime (someone who lacks confidence) · it eunuco (someone who lacks confidence) · it pappamolle (someone who lacks confidence) · nl sul (someone who lacks confidence) · tl mahiyain (someone who lacks confidence) · fi nynny (someone who lacks confidence) · ga cladhaire (someone who lacks confidence) · gl monicreque (someone who lacks confidence) · nl sukkel (someone who lacks confidence) · es baldragas (someone who lacks confidence) · it mammoletta (someone who lacks confidence) · cs slaboch (someone who lacks confidence) · bg мижитурка (someone who lacks confidence) · ru дрищ (someone who lacks confidence) · ht movyèt (someone who lacks confidence) · es gallina (someone who lacks confidence) · de Weichei (someone who lacks confidence) · pdt Wieekjbroot (someone who lacks confidence) · pt covarde (someone who lacks confidence) · cmn 窝囊废 (someone who lacks confidence) · nb pyse (someone who lacks confidence) · ja 臆病者 (someone who lacks confidence) · pl ciapa (someone who lacks confidence) · it pisciasotto (someone who lacks confidence) · el φοβιτσιάρα (someone who lacks confidence) · sv mes (someone who lacks confidence) · it cacasotto (someone who lacks confidence) · it rammollito (someone who lacks confidence) · da pjok (someone who lacks confidence) · da skvat (someone who lacks confidence) · fi nössö (someone who lacks confidence) · es pusilánime (someone who lacks confidence) · he סמרטוט (someone who lacks confidence) · fi nahjus (someone who lacks confidence) · fr mauviette (someone who lacks confidence) · he נְמוּשָׁה (someone who lacks confidence) · it coccio (someone who lacks confidence) · pl wymoczek (someone who lacks confidence) · it mollusco (someone who lacks confidence) · it fifone (someone who lacks confidence) · it coniglio (someone who lacks confidence) · it merlo (someone who lacks confidence) · pl sierota (someone who lacks confidence) · it smidollato (someone who lacks confidence) · pt medroso (someone who lacks confidence) · mi harotu (someone who lacks confidence) · it debole (someone who lacks confidence) · fi nysväke (someone who lacks confidence)
Possibly a clipping of whimper. The term was understood in the United States by the 1930s, as it was incorporated into the names of two famous media characters known for living up to that name: The devious but cowardly Popeye supporting-character called "J. Wellington Wimpy", and the soft-spoken character "Wallace Wimple" from the radio show Fibber McGee and Molly.
Meanings
(intransitive, slang) To behave submissively.
"They were wimping along and I was accomplished," she asserts with some pride and a touch of arrogance. 1994, Paul Lyons, Class of '66: Living in Suburban Middle America, page 156:
(slang, transitive) To make (something) weak or wimpy.
If you're particularly fond of Foster's, Heineken or Moosehead at home, you will be disappointed to find that it's been wimped down for the American market. 2003, Andrea Schulte-Peevers, California, page 69: