etiquette

Everyday

The rules of polite behaviour in a society or group, such as how to greet people, eat at table or write a letter. tree →

In the lessons

In personal and social education, good etiquette means being polite: saying please and thank you, not talking with your mouth full, waiting your turn. There is also online etiquette (sometimes called netiquette). In Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Tea-Party breaks every rule of etiquette — the Hatter is rude, there is no room though the table is large, and Alice is told off for being «not invited». The Queen of Hearts cares about etiquette only for others. Phrases: «table etiquette», «court etiquette», «a breach of etiquette».

Examples

• Good table etiquette means not reaching across the table. tree →
• Royal etiquette says you curtsey or bow to the Queen. tree →
• It is bad etiquette to type in capital letters online. tree →
• At the Mad Tea-Party, there was no etiquette at all. tree →
• Our teacher taught us the etiquette of writing a thank-you letter. tree →
• Shaking hands is good etiquette after a match. tree →
• The prince, whom the strict etiquette of the court had prevented from being present in the underground hall, was burning with impatience in his own apartments. tree →

Note

Uncountable. French origin: sounds like «ET-ee-ket». Do not mix up with a ticket. Netiquette = internet etiquette.