m'lady
Ironic courtly address
M'lady is a contraction of "my lady," originally a respectful form of address for noblewomen.
Today it survives mainly as internet mockery of socially awkward men who affect exaggerated chivalry toward women, often while wearing fedoras: He tipped his hat and said "m'lady" without irony.
The cringe lies in the mismatch between medieval courtesy and modern context.
Soft creased felt hat
- neckbeardSmug online know-it-all
- incelSelf-described unfuckable man
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- memeShared online humor
tipping · gentleman · nice guy · white knight · Reddit · 4chan · basement · katana
Illicit female lover
- noblewomanFemale of high birth
- dameDated slang for woman
- highbornOf aristocratic birth
- courtlyRefined and dignified
aristocrat · gentlewoman · nobility · address · salutation · deference · respect · servant
fedora
Soft creased felt hat
meme · tipping · gentleman · nice guy · white knight · Reddit · 4chan · basement · katana · trenchcoat
mistress
Illicit female lover
- noblewomanFemale of high birth
- dameDated slang for woman
- highbornOf aristocratic birth
courtly · aristocrat · gentlewoman · nobility · address · salutation · deference · respect · servant · handmaiden
gallant
Courageously attentive and refined
- suitorOne who seeks affection
- admirerOne who esteems another
- complimentWords expressing approval
flattery · wooing · bow · curtsy · hand-kiss · devotion · adoration · romantic · chivalrous · deferential