How Do You Spell MOLLYCODDLED?

Pronunciation: [mˈɒlɪkˌɒdə͡ld] (IPA)

The word "mollycoddled" is spelled with two L's, despite the fact that the pronunciation doesn't seem to warrant it. The IPA phonetic transcription of the word is /ˈmɑːliˌkɑdəld/, which shows that the first syllable has a long vowel sound and the second syllable is stressed. The double L is actually a result of "molly" being an old-fashioned term for a male prostitute, which was later used to describe a weak or effeminate man. When the word "coddle" was added, the double L stayed to indicate the past tense of this particular insult.

MOLLYCODDLED Meaning and Definition

  1. Mollycoddled is an adjective that refers to someone who is excessively pampered, treated with excessive care or overprotected. It is commonly used to describe individuals who are constantly sheltered from any form of hardship, difficulty or discomfort.

    The term "mollycoddled" originates from the combination of the names Molly and Coddle, which were common names during the 19th century when the term first came into use. The use of the term implies that the person being described is excessively coddled or babied, often to the point where they lack independence, resilience, or the ability to cope with challenges.

    A mollycoddled person is typically shielded from the realities and responsibilities of life, as their needs and desires are attended to and catered for in an exaggerated or indulgent manner. This can result in a lack of self-reliance, self-confidence, and adaptability, as the individual has not been exposed to the necessary experiences that foster personal growth and development.

    The term "mollycoddled" can also be used in a broader context to describe a society or group that is overly protective, excessively cautious, or excessively regulated. In such cases, it suggests that the group or society is failing to promote independence, initiative, and the ability to confront challenges, potentially hindering individual and societal progress.

    In summary, to be mollycoddled means to be excessively sheltered, pampered, or protected from hardships or difficulties, resulting in a lack of independence, self-reliance, and resilience.

Etymology of MOLLYCODDLED

The word "mollycoddled" is believed to originate from two separate terms that were combined together to form a new word.

The first part of the word, "molly", is derived from the name Molly, which was often used as a nickname for Mary in the 18th and 19th centuries. It became associated with being delicate, weak, or coddled due to the pejorative usage of the term "molly" to refer to effeminate men.

The second part of the word, "coddled", comes from the verb "to coddle", which means to treat someone indulgently or in an excessively overprotective manner. This usage dates back to the 16th century and is derived from the Old English word "codd", meaning "to boil gently" or "to pamper".

Similar spelling words for MOLLYCODDLED

Conjugate verb Mollycoddled

CONDITIONAL

I would mollycoddle
we would mollycoddle
you would mollycoddle
he/she/it would mollycoddle
they would mollycoddle

FUTURE

I will mollycoddle
we will mollycoddle
you will mollycoddle
he/she/it will mollycoddle
they will mollycoddle

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have mollycoddled
we will have mollycoddled
you will have mollycoddled
he/she/it will have mollycoddled
they will have mollycoddled

PAST

I mollycoddled
we mollycoddled
you mollycoddled
he/she/it mollycoddled
they mollycoddled

PAST PERFECT

I had mollycoddled
we had mollycoddled
you had mollycoddled
he/she/it had mollycoddled
they had mollycoddled

PRESENT

I mollycoddle
we mollycoddle
you mollycoddle
he/she/it mollycoddles
they mollycoddle

PRESENT PERFECT

I have mollycoddled
we have mollycoddled
you have mollycoddled
he/she/it has mollycoddled
they have mollycoddled
I am mollycoddling
we are mollycoddling
you are mollycoddling
he/she/it is mollycoddling
they are mollycoddling
I was mollycoddling
we were mollycoddling
you were mollycoddling
he/she/it was mollycoddling
they were mollycoddling
I will be mollycoddling
we will be mollycoddling
you will be mollycoddling
he/she/it will be mollycoddling
they will be mollycoddling
I have been mollycoddling
we have been mollycoddling
you have been mollycoddling
he/she/it has been mollycoddling
they have been mollycoddling
I had been mollycoddling
we had been mollycoddling
you had been mollycoddling
he/she/it had been mollycoddling
they had been mollycoddling
I will have been mollycoddling
we will have been mollycoddling
you will have been mollycoddling
he/she/it will have been mollycoddling
they will have been mollycoddling
I would have mollycoddled
we would have mollycoddled
you would have mollycoddled
he/she/it would have mollycoddled
they would have mollycoddled
I would be mollycoddling
we would be mollycoddling
you would be mollycoddling
he/she/it would be mollycoddling
they would be mollycoddling
I would have been mollycoddling
we would have been mollycoddling
you would have been mollycoddling
he/she/it would have been mollycoddling
they would have been mollycoddling

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