Question of the Day #412

"After that rally erupted in violence, the president’s days of mealy-mouthed 'both sides' rhetoric were widely criticized. "
From the seventh paragraph of this article at The Bulwark.

上記の文で、mealy-mouthedの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "mealy-mouthed" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


〔自分の考えなどを〕はっきりと言わない、遠回しに［当たり障りのないように］言う

ですが、下記英語の定義にあるように、他に「不誠実、ずる賢い、不道徳な」のような意味もあります。

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

avoiding the use of direct and plain language, as from timidity, excessive delicacy, or hypocrisy; inclined to mince words; insincere, devious, or compromising.

Etymology/語源

Dictionary.comによると、

初めて記録されたのが、1565〜75年頃。

According to Dictionary.com:

First recorded in 1565–75

Examples

• Spokesmen have been mealy-mouthed in defence of the president.
• Twenty-five years later, he wrote a mealy-mouthed not-quite apology for his rhetoric.
• a mealy-mouthed spokesperson
• mealy-mouthed excuses
• He repeated that he did not intend to be mealy-mouthed with the country's leaders.