Namby Pamby …

Namby Pamby is a term for affected and weak speech and verse. Pollyanna talk, rose-tinted fluff.

Ambrose Philips (aka Namby Pamby) was an English poet and playwright who in 1714 became tutor to George I’s grandchildren. The position gave him a status amongst the aristocracy and he took the opportunity to advance his place in society by writing sycophantic sentimental poems in praise of their children.

Thou, thy parents pride and care,
Fairest offspring of the fair
…
When again the lambkins play,
Pretty sportlings,full of May

… and so on.

His contemporaries attacked his work as childish and weakly sentimental. And playing off his name gave him his nickname: Namby Pamby.

Its origins are in Namby Pamby a poem written in 1725 by Henry Carey.

All ye Poets of the Age!

All ye Witlings of the Stage!

Learn your Jingles to reform!

Crop your Numbers and Conform:

Let your little Verses flow

Gently, Sweetly, Row by Row:

Let the Verse the Subject fit;

Little Subject, Little Wit.

Namby-Pamby is your Guide;

Albion’s Joy, Hibernia’s Pride.