The spelling of the word "namby" may confuse many people, as it does not follow typical English phonetic rules. The correct pronunciation of this word is /ˈnæmbi/, with the first syllable pronounced as "nam" and the second syllable pronounced as "bee". The origin of the term is believed to come from a poem written in the 18th century that mocked overly sentimental and weak individuals, referred to as "namby-pambies". Despite its unusual spelling, the term is still occasionally used today to describe someone who is overly emotional or weak-willed.