Wimp or Wuss?

[Symphony]

I was just analyzing the technical differences between "wimp" and "wuss".  

Any thoughts?   I can't find their definitions in my hard-copy dictionaries.  

[sincereheart]

I was just analyzing the technical differences between "wimp" and "wuss".

Any thoughts?

Just one....

Why?

[Symphony]

I was just trying to figure out which one I am.

     
     

[sincereheart]

Does it have to be one of those?

wimp: an offensive term that deliberately insults somebody as being weak, timid, unassertive, or ineffectual ( informal insult )
[Early 20th century. Origin uncertain: perhaps a shortening of whimper.]
~encarta

wuss: offensive term: an offensive term that deliberately insults somebody regarded as weak or ineffectual ( slang insult )
[Late 20th century. Origin unknown.]
~encarta

Apparently not much difference - both are nouns. Been getting some IM's lately?  

[Symphony]

That's what I kinda figured.  I guess I'm both.


No, that's exactly it.  I haven't been getting any IMs at all!


Oh, boohooboohoohoo.......


       

[sincereheart]

No IM's?? GASP!

So why do you figure you're both? I never thought so, have I missed something?  

[Tibby]

Personally, then I think these words I think of this:

Wimp- Skinny, sickly person. (Physically)

Wuss- Person with low pain tolerance. (Mentally)

That is just my own personal connotation to it. One is physically, one is mental.
 
Why do ya ask?

[sincereheart]

LOL! So is your problem mental or physical, Symphony?  

[Symphony]

Hmmm, thank you Tibby.  Good point.  That makes sence to me.

Actually, sincereheart, I think it may have come to me this morning after reviewing the last few, very curious chapters, of I Kings, talking about King Ahab(of Israel--Jehospaphat was king of Judah).

Seems several times Ahab there doesn't get his way at all--in one case his wife, Jezebel(yes, that's the one), pulls some dastardly strings, has a guy falsely accused and stoned to death to acquire his property(a vineyard) for Ahab, after which Ahab embraces it all wholeheartedly...--and it specifically mentions him brooding, going about "degectedly"--a very spoiled little child, in several sections there.

Towards the end, Jehoshaphat agreeably abides by Ahab's bidding, to go into to battle, Ahab disguising himself apparently as a common soldier, and he still gets killed.

Well, towards the end there, God still "blesses" Ahab--well, somewhat, by postponing the curse on him to his son, instead.

It's just all a very curious passage.  The longest devotion to one Israelite king--five or six chapters, my handbook says, beside of course Solomon or David.

Just strikes me how apparently wimpy, or wussy(is that a word?), Ahab must have been.  He sounds very spoiled there.  And still God seems to respect him, saying, "...see how Ahab has humbled himself...?").

Ahem.  I'm having a little trouble with this one.

[Tibby]

Well, God forgives. I guess there is an little NT God in the OT. Remember, man looks at the outward appearance, the lord looks at the heart. Whooped men can be very weak minded. I once new a guy who I sparred with. Great guy. Loved to fight. But he was whooped like you wouldn’t know. And his wife would rather have him wrestle with her, not us.  ;-) Does that make him a bad fighter? No! He could arm bar like it was no bodies business, and he could kick the highest out of all of us. Now, should he have stood up to her? YES. But he didn’t that doesn’t change who he is.

Ahab was whooped. We was a coward, a weakling. He should have stood up as head of his household and said, “Listen, women, you will not kill the prophets of God, I’m the King, NOT YOU. Now sit down, and let Elisha talk!”

Keep in mind, this is all a guess. I haven’t read that section in years, and I really don’t remember the story behind it all. But that is my 2 cents, minus all research.

[Willowbirch]

Personally, then I think these words I think of this:

Wimp- Skinny, sickly person. (Physically)

Wuss- Person with low pain tolerance. (Mentally)

That is just my own personal connotation to it. One is physically, one is mental.
 
Why do ya ask?

Yes, that's always been my translation, too...I would be a wuss. (I'm too "healthy" to be a wimp.)