Milktoast
I don’t want milktoast for breakfast or any other meal. Although I like milk and toast, I prefer them separate. I also want more flavor. Even with sugar, cinnamon, or other spices added, it remains a bland dish. Give me eggs or cereal with fruit and nuts.
Neither do I want to be a milktoast person or give milktoast responses. However, I have been guilty of both.
Milktoast means weak or ineffective.
It can be a noun or an adjective. The person or response is:
- Timid
- Fearful
- Unwilling to rock the boat
- Boring
- Wishy-washy
Milquetoast mean the same.
According to The Free Dictionary, the character description refers to H. T. Webster’s comic strip character, Caspar Milquetoast. Like edible milktoast (or milk toast), Caspar had a bland personality.
Milktoast is easy to digest.
With so little flavor, it does not upset the body’s system. Neither do weak people upset their social systems of:
- Business
- Government
- Religion
- Families
They value the status quo above truth or progress.
God seeks boldness in service.
Certainly, quietness and meekness are often appropriate. Yet, God expects and provides courage when the time comes to speak up and stand tall.
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” (Acts 4:29 NIV).
Thanks to Gail Johnson for the suggestion and to Jeri Gumm Stone for the photo.
Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.
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6 thoughts on “Milktoast”
Great explanation and application, Diana!
Thank you, Tracy. I had heard this expression but never used it, so the post was interesting to write.
I had forgotten all about this apt expression for a weak or ineffectual person, but remember my mother often using that term to describe such people. Thanks for this reminder and explanation today, Diana. Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. I can’t remember where I originally heard this one, but it has been a long time, so it was fun to research after Gail suggested it.
Well, I wouldn’t want to be labled bland, but there are times I appreciate that non-controversial and humble person who seems to bring peace wherever he/she goes. I’d like to be more like that “bland” or “milk toast” person when my outspokeness sometimes gets me in trouble. I do get the point of your message, though, and recognize that we need to “speak in boldness” in our service to God. Thank you, Diana.
Thank you, Katherine. We walk a fine line between the two, don’t we?