wuss
verbEtymology 1976–1981 in US college slang. Perhaps abbreviated from wussy, or blend of wimp and puss. Compare earlier wussy.
1
Only used in wuss out
wuss
noun/wʊs/ · SC /wʉs/
Etymology 1976–1981 in US college slang. Perhaps abbreviated from wussy, or blend of wimp and puss. Compare earlier wussy.
1
Derogatory, Mildly, Slang A weak, ineffectual, cowardly, or timid person.
- 1976, Univ. N. Carolina, Chapel Hill, Campus Slang typescript Nov. 6 Come on you wuss, hit a basket..! John's a wuss.
- You are a wuss: part wimp, and part pussy1982, Cameron Crowe, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, spoken by Mike Damone:
4 more examples
- ...if you got a reputation as a wuss around the league, nobody else would ever even trade for you, or pick you up if you got cut.1995, Rob Huizenga, You're Okay, It's Just a Bruise Page 120
- `Fatty's under the thumb. Yeah it's not hard to see who wears the pants in that family. The wuss.'1995, Paul Vautin, Turn It Up!, Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia, page 144:
- And finally, don't be a wuss. Have a rich-man's attitude. Men who have money are generally confident and assertive.2003, Andrea P. Roberts, Uncovered: 20 Hints for Men from a Bisexual Woman Page 7
- ...stop, study the map, and wait for the others. It's better to be a wuss than a stud.2003, Marc J. Soares, 100 Hikes in Yosemite National Park Page 21
- Derived terms
- wuss out