vanilla
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
be plain vanilla
slang To be uninteresting, unexciting, or unadventurous. A reference to vanilla being considered an ordinary, unexciting flavor. I've always thought guided tours were pretty plain vanilla. I would much rather experience a new city by exploring it for myself. He's got good job security and a nice house, so it's really no wonder he's so plain vanilla. Why take risks when you've got all you want in life? I'm looking for a book that's plain vanilla to read while I'm lounging on the beach next week. You know, something that won't distract from my busy schedule of tanning and people-watching.
be vanilla
slang A reference to vanilla being considered a plain or ordinary flavor.
1. To be uninteresting, unexciting, or unadventurous. I've always thought guided tours were pretty vanilla. I would much rather experience a new city by exploring it for myself. She's got good job security and a nice house, so it's really no wonder she's so vanilla. Why take risks when you've got all you want in life? I'm looking for a book that's pretty vanilla to read while I'm lounging on the beach next week. You know, something that won't distract from my busy schedule of tanning and people-watching.
2. To be conventional, unadventurous, or not particularly kinky or fetishistic in one's sexual activities or interests. He's so hot, but he's pretty vanilla when it comes to sex. I just don't have an interest in wild stuff in the bedroom. If that means I'm vanilla, then so be it. I didn't know I was so vanilla until I dated my last girlfriend—she was super kinky!
See also: vanilla
plain vanilla
A reference to vanilla being considered an ordinary or unexciting flavor. Often hyphenated if used before a noun.
1. Completely basic, simple, or straightforward, lacking embellishments, adornments, special features, etc. I still use the plain-vanilla version of the software. I don't want to pay for all the extra features they've been advertising. No thanks, I don't need any luxury features on the car. The plain vanilla model will be fine.
2. Uninteresting, unexciting, or unadventurous. I've always thought guided tours were a pretty plain-vanilla way to experience a new city. He's got good job security and a nice house, so it's really no wonder he's so plain vanilla—why take risks when you've got all you want in life?
3. Referring to a simple or standard derivative financial instrument, such as an option or a swap. We'll want to lock in some plain-vanilla forex options so that we don't get caught out by any unanticipated exchange rate drops.
that's why they make chocolate and vanilla
Used to express the fact that it's OK for people to have varying tastes or preferences. The over-the-top, campy aesthetic of the film certainly won't be for everyone, but that's why they make chocolate and vanilla.
vanilla
1. slang Plain, uninteresting, unexciting, or unadventurous. A reference to vanilla being considered a plain or ordinary flavor. I've always thought guided tours were a pretty vanilla way to experience a new city. She just wants something vanilla to read while she's lounging on the beach.
2. slang Of, related to, or engaging in sexual activities that are considered conventional, unadventurous, or not particularly kinky or fetishistic. He's extremely hot, but he's pretty vanilla when it comes to sex. I've just never been into anything other than vanilla stuff in bed.
3. slang Of or related to computer or video game software that has not been modified, customized, or expanded upon with additional content. The vanilla web browser they released didn't even have the ability to open more than one tab at the same time—you had to download an extension for that! The developers promised that people playing the vanilla version of the game will able to compete just as well as those who have the DLC installed.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
vanilla
1. mod. plain; dull. (see also beige.) The entire production was sort of vanilla, but it was okay.
2. n. a Caucasian. Some vanilla’s on the phone—selling something, I guess.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
plain vanilla
Lacking embellishment or fancy features, unadorned; by extension, plain and simple. This item, dating from the second half of the 1900s, transfers the simplicity of a plain vanilla cake to other concerns, ranging from stock options to computer software, legal contracts, and so on. For example, “She bought the cheapest car she could find, a plain vanilla model.” See also less is more.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer