mollycoddle
UK[ˈmɒl.iˌkɒd.əl]US[ˈmɑː.liˌkɑː.dəl]
v
To treat someone in an overprotective or indulgent way, weakening their character.
n
A person who is treated in such a way.
Morpheme Breakdown
molly
coddle
molly
coddle
Etymology
The word 'mollycoddle' is a compound formed in the 19th century from two English elements. The first part, 'molly', was a common 18th-century slang term for an effeminate man, derived from the female name. The second part, 'coddle', means to pamper or overindulge, originally associated with nursing the sick with warm food or drink. Combined, they create a vivid image of treating someone with the excessive, weakening care one might give to a perceived invalid or a delicate woman, thus perfectly capturing the modern sense of overprotective indulgence that hinders resilience.
Analysis
Structure: molly + coddle
- molly: Origin: English (from the female name 'Molly', a diminutive of 'Mary'). Functional Role: Suggests effeminacy or weakness.
- coddle: Origin: English (likely from 'caudle', a warm drink for the sick). Functional Role: Verb meaning to treat tenderly or pamper.
Examples
He didn't want to mollycoddle his children, believing they should learn from their own mistakes.
The coach was accused of mollycoddling the star player instead of pushing him to improve.
Growing up as a mollycoddle left him unprepared for the challenges of independent life.