elbows off table
Mealtime posture rule
A command or rule of etiquette directing someone to remove their elbows from the table surface while eating.
Parents drill this into children as basic table manners: Elbows off the table, please.
The rule persists despite unclear origins—perhaps from crowded medieval dining or the impression of slovenliness it creates.
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- mind your mannersAdmonition to be courteous
- Emily PostEtiquette authority
- postureBody position, alignment
sit up straight · dining · napkin · silverware · place setting · rude · polite · dinner · family dinner · formal · slouching · upright · scolding · mother · grandmother · children · proper · sit
- dining etiquettebread plates, chewing quietly, proper posture, knife skills, bread breaking
- table mannersnapkin folding, chewing quietly, proper posture, posture, using utensils
- mannersetiquette, manners, polite, rude, politeness
- American diningdiners, free refills, doggy bag, tipping, hamburgers
- formal diningplace setting, dinner, porcelain, tablecloth, silverware