where does the term "polite smolite" come from?
98239
This is an interesting phenomenon in English.\n\nOne way for English speakers to be sarcastic about something they are talking about or to disagree is to repeat the last part of the word with the "s" or "sh" sound on the front.  So if I say something's "polite smolite" I mean that I think it's not polite.\n\nHere's an example with another word:\nA: I think that your classmate Brad is very nice.\nB: Nice schmice!  He made fun of me in class yesterday.
404827
Old British Term from 1800s meaning "pints & quarts".  Now it's slang for minding your manners, like please & thank you.
46543
Kindess; consideration of others needs/feelings above his own; smiles & nods his head or tips his hat when passing a lady (young or old) on the street; opens doors for ladies; when walking with a lady down the street he makes sure shes on the inside for her protection; never uses fowl language in front of women or children; loves his mother and isnt afraid to show it; loves his wife(or g/f) and children and would rather come home to them then go out partying with his friends; respect for the law and even more respect for the law Giver (God); stands up-removes his hat and sings loudly & proudly when the Star Spangled banner is played at sporting events; also stands & removes hat and maybe even applauds when a color gaurd displaying our Flag passes him during a parade; and isnt embarrassed by either of these! Absolute respect for those men and women who gave their lives for our country and just as much respect for those who faught and came home again. These are just a few of the traits of a gentleman in my opinion.
1013926
A Lady or a Gentleman isn't easily defined by a short list of actions but rather by an overall air. A person, who maintains their dignity without making others feel less dignified, who offers a hand in generosity, without making the recipient feel beholden. Who has proper manners but not so proper as to make others feel inadequate.\n\nA person who carries themselves with a quiet grace and dignity.\n\nYes there are still many of them out their. I do not consider myself one in that I am frankly a little too crass and too aggressive in my ways but I consider it an ideal up to which I try to succeed
125852
politely and diplomatically
128866
The Word of the Day site suggests this phrase has more possible origins than any other -- and nobody knows just what to believe. The only thing everyone can agree upon is that the idiom was first cited by the Oxford English Dictionary in 1779 with the meaning of watching your step and being polite. \nOne simple explanation is that it's a childish abbreviation for minding your "pleases" and "thank yous." Considering how often kids are told to "mind your Ps and Qs" with the goal of being more polite, this explanation makes sense. \n\nTwo popular theories revolve around the mirror-image quality of the two letters. The phrase was recorded in 1830 as meaning "to learn one's letters." It was aimed at children learning to hand-write the lowercase letters p and q, which are quite similar. Another explanation along the same lines comes from the world of printing. Typesetters used blocks of type that were mirror images of the letters, so it would be easy to mix up lowercase p and q. This origin would give "mind your Ps and Qs" a connotation of being careful and paying sharp attention. \n\nAnother oft-mentioned source of the phrase is old pubs where beer and ale was served in pints and quarts. The barkeeper tracked patrons' drinking totals by marking "P" for pints and "Q" for quarts. Both the barkeeper and the drinker would want to keep careful track of those Ps and Qs so they knew what the final bill would be. Also, the drinker might want to pay attention to how much he drank so as to keep his own behavior under control. \n\nWorld Wide Words notes that this puzzling and quirky idiom has inspired some fanciful explanations. In the 17th century, the expression "P and Q" meant "prime quality," which might have influenced the Ps and Qs phrase. Some suggest the saying came from a French dancing master's instructions to perform the dance figures pieds and queues properly. Or it could be an admonishment to sailors to keep their navy peacoats clean around their tarred queues or pigtails. But these derivations seem pretty far-fetched.
632583
Common courtesy is to reciprocate with the same question.  Let me ask you though, how many times have you responded with 'good, thank you' and you were lying through your teeth?  As I said though, it's just proper courtesy.
225140
I don't know if there's much etymology of the phrase, but here's an article about it which puts forth some interesting possibilities of the origin.\n\nQuote from the site:\n\n"Some linguists and historians think the expression must have been well known during the war years, citing a story about General Eisenhower's dog. The story goes that the dog (Felix) urinated on a map and the officers joked that the enemy was "pissed off." (Leonard Mosely, Marshall, 1982)."
673957
It is generally used to refer to someone who appears on the outside (Velvet glove) to manage with a gentle manner. But on the inside (iron fist) they are truly a firm, perhaps even harsh, dictator.\n\nIn some instances, this can be a compliment. Sometimes it's desirable to find a manager who can really hold the line and be firm, but be a pretty nice guy about it.\n\nBut sometimes, it is used to describe hypocritical management/organizations that put on the good face, but then come down hard when things aren't done their way.
392291
LMAO...it is a limerick of sorts....very cute...I love it...whoever it is for....it is a term of endearment, but then you need to understand the german wharped sense of humour....smile\nI love you just like applesauce, as tender as spinach, my heart beats like a horse's hoof ...whenever I see you....you a.s.s.
504007
Actually Old-fangled is a word.  It's an informal term for "Old-fashioned".
730569
"Kind regards" is what I see a lot in European business letters.\n\nIn less formal e-mails, people often just write "Regards".
315115
Proper etiquette was ingrained in me as a child. My mothers side of the family has a strong "proper English" back round and it just was a way of life. Hospitality was the norm. Being polite at our own dinner table at home was always upheld. It was very nice to have my fathers side of the family to balance this out. They were often blunt and had a hearty appetite for laughter, even in public.\nI am grateful that I was raised with both. I can enjoy the company of a variety of people and not just those that are "socially acceptable"(heavy quotation marks there)\n\n"Please" and "Thank you" I think are just the cornerstones of good manners. Politeness is something that shows respect as well. Being courteous to strangers is a must for me. I would want the same in return.\n\n How important are they? On a scale of 1 - 10 I would say an 8. Very important. But certainly not the most important things in life.
275248
It's called good manners.
834247
I agree with the suggestion "quaere sapientiam" = seek wisdom\n\n"literate" is a variant spelling of "litterate" which can mean "elegantly", "literally", "cleverly" .\n "humaniores" is referring to those who are "more human", "more refined"\nso the phrase probably means "elegantly more refined"\n\nHowever you may have misquoted "Literae Humaniores" which refers to the study of Classics (also known as the Humanities), and may be translated as "more refined scholarship."
789701
Hello dsclinb1 - I think it's polite.  Regards, Caroline1409f1
561441
Actually, I believe when a good man gives me attention, lots of affections, calls everyday just to say hello, kisses me and so on...  I don't consider it smothering.   I enjoy knowing I am the object of his desire.  \n\nOnly those that do not understand a healthy relationship would call it smothering.