Where does the saying mollycoddle come from?
Where does the saying mollycoddle come from? mollycoddle (v.) also molly-coddle, by 1839 (implied in mollycoddling), from a noun (by 1828) meaning "overly pampered, fastidious, effeminate male," from Molly (pet name formation from Mary), which had been used contemptuously at least since 1707 for "a milksop, an effeminate man" (see molly (n. 1)) + coddle (q.v.). What does to mollycoddle mean? Definition of mollycoddle (Entry 1 of 2) transitive verb. : to treat with an excessive or absurd degree of indulgence and attention. What is the synonym of mollycoddle? Some common synonyms of mollycoddle are baby, humor, indulge, pamper, and...