sb. [Reduplicated formation from WASH sb. (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. Mrs. A. M. Bennett, Juvenile Indiscr., II. 36. The fish was ill-dressed, the soup mere wishwash.
1803. Mary 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. Stopf. Brooke, in Jacks Life & Lett. (1917), II. 378. I talked sense, and was grimly resolved to give the exact opposite of ——’s wish-wash.
