Meaning
What does Milk Toast mean?
Milk Toast is as easily digestible food, since it only consists of bread in warm milk sprinkled with some sugar or cinnamon.
In the New England regions of the United States, “milk toast” refers to a toast that has been dipped in milk-based white sauce.
Because it is a soothing and an easy-to-eat dish for young children, old people and convalescent, as a slang, it refers to people who are weak, sick or are “spineless” and are very timid.
Origin
What's the origin of Milk Toast?
The exact origin of the dish as well as the term is unknown. However, it was very popular throughout the late 19th and early 20th century.
It has many variations all over the world, including Asia where it is served as a dessert and Serbia, Norway and Sweden also has its own version of “milk toast”.
Although it is not as popular in the 2000s, it is still considered a comfort and nutritious food.
Spread & Usage
How did Milk Toast spread?
The term also appears in popular culture. A great example is a character in a comic strip who was inspired by the “milk toast” soft blandness.
It’s the timid and ineffectual character Caspar Milquetoast, drawn by H. T. Webster from 1924 to 1952.
In one Disney’s family show Follow me, Boys!, “milk toast” appeared and was described as an undesirable breakfast option.
External resources
- Urban Dictionary – Milk Toast