THE FIRST WORD

lily-livered

PRONUNCIATION:

(LIL-ee-LIV-uhrd) 

MEANING:

adjective: Cowardly or timid.

ETYMOLOGY:

In earlier times, the liver was considered to be the seat of courage. Hence, lacking blood, a white liver, indicated lack of courage. Earliest documented use: 1616.

USAGE:

"A story of twins -- one bold and the other a lily-livered cop."
Malathi Rangarajan; Brothers and the Baddies; The Hindu (Chennai, India); Sep 25, 2012.