polite fiction
Socially accepted lie
A polite fiction is something everyone knows isn't true but agrees to treat as true for social convenience.
The host says We must do this again sometime with no intention of following through; the guest agrees warmly.
Calling in sick when you need a mental health day is a polite fiction.
The term describes these tacit agreements to maintain appearances rather than confront awkward truths.
Harmless minor falsehood
- euphemismMild substitute for bluntness
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- circumlocutionIndirect, wordy expression
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
tactfulness · diplomatic language · soft-pedal · understatement · indirectness · face-saving · glossing over · social lubricant
Rules of polite conduct
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- civilityFormal politeness in conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
courtesy · social harmony · convention · formality · niceties · pleasantries · small talk · ritual
Absurd or obvious pretense
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- illusionMisleading sensory impression
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
make-believe · simulacrum · semblance · unspoken agreement · tacit understanding · willful ignorance · plausible deniability · saving face
Binding pact between nations
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- detenteRelaxation of strained relations
- accordHarmony between parties
- communiquéOfficial governmental announcement
press release · talking points · spin · non-denial denial · no comment · diplomatic immunity · back channel · summit
white lie
Harmless minor falsehood
- euphemismMild substitute for bluntness
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- circumlocutionIndirect, wordy expression
delicacy · tactfulness · diplomatic language · soft-pedal · understatement · indirectness · face-saving · glossing over · social lubricant · coded language
etiquette
Rules of polite conduct
propriety · courtesy · social harmony · convention · formality · niceties · pleasantries · small talk · ritual · protocol
charade
Absurd or obvious pretense
masquerade · make-believe · simulacrum · semblance · unspoken agreement · tacit understanding · willful ignorance · plausible deniability · saving face · open secret
treaty
Binding pact between nations
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- detenteRelaxation of strained relations
- accordHarmony between parties
communiqué · press release · talking points · spin · non-denial denial · no comment · diplomatic immunity · back channel · summit · statesmanship
- insincerityinsincerity, phoniness, fakeness, falseness, pretense
- Empty Gestureslip service, crocodile tears, token effort, empty promise, going through motions
- indirectnesscircumlocution, euphemism, hedging, hint, hinting
polite fictionbrutal honesty
Unsparing directness in speech
harsh truth · straight talk · unvarnished truth · telling it like it is · hard truth
polite fictionelephant in the room
Obvious ignored problem
calling out · open secret · exposé · truth-telling · social faux pas
polite, fiction, politeness, politely, impolite, impolitely, impoliteness, politic, political