milksop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowArchaic/Literary
Quick answer
What does “milksop” mean?
A weak, timid, or ineffectual man or boy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A weak, timid, or ineffectual man or boy; someone lacking courage or spirit.
A person who is overly gentle, sentimental, or easily dominated; historically, a piece of bread soaked in milk, given to infants or invalids, which metaphorically came to represent childish softness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical literature.
Connotations
Carries strong connotations of contempt and derision for perceived unmanly weakness.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary usage. Considered an archaic insult.
Grammar
How to Use “milksop” in a Sentence
He is a [milksop].Don't be such a [milksop]!They regarded him as a [milksop].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “milksop” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Victorian father scorned his son as a milksop for preferring poetry to boxing.
- He was no milksop, standing firm against the bullies.
American English
- The old sheriff muttered that the new deputy was a milksop who'd faint at the sight of a gun.
- In the classic Western, the milksop from the East finds his courage.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, may appear in historical or literary criticism discussing gender roles or characterisation.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound old-fashioned or deliberately humorous.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “milksop”
- Using it in modern, neutral contexts where it sounds bizarre.
- Misspelling as 'milk sop' (two words). It is a closed compound.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered an archaic or literary term. Using it in modern speech would sound very old-fashioned or deliberately ironic.
Historically, it was almost exclusively applied to men or boys, as it criticises a failure to meet traditional masculine ideals of strength and courage. Applying it to a woman would be highly unusual and not idiomatic.
Literally, it was a piece of bread soaked in milk, a simple, soft food often given to infants, the sick, or the elderly. The figurative meaning derives from this association with softness and lack of substance.
It is a single, closed compound word: 'milksop'.
A weak, timid, or ineffectual man or boy.
Milksop is usually archaic/literary in register.
Milksop: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪlksɒp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪlksɑːp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. The word itself is a metaphorical compound.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SOP of bread soaked in MILK – food for a baby, not a strong adult.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHARACTER IS DIET / WEAKNESS IS INFANTILISM. A man with the substance and strength of food meant for the very young.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'milksop' be LEAST appropriate?