polite society
Genteel social sphere
Polite society refers to the social world of respectable, well-mannered people—traditionally the upper classes who observe proper etiquette and conventional morality.
The phrase often carries ironic weight, implying stuffiness or hypocrisy: Language unfit for polite society.
What polite society considers acceptable shifts over time; the term itself sounds somewhat dated.
Customs of polite conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- civilityFormal politeness in conduct
tact · diplomacy · protocol · refinement · graciousness · deference · formality · respectability
Rule by hereditary elite
- upper classWealthiest societal stratum
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- socialitesPeople famous for attending events
bluebloods · old money · patricians · debutantes · establishment · landed gentry · upper crust · social register
manners
Customs of polite conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
civility · tact · diplomacy · protocol · refinement · graciousness · deference · formality · respectability · comportment
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
- upper classWealthiest societal stratum
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- nobilityTitled ruling class
socialites · bluebloods · old money · patricians · debutantes · establishment · landed gentry · upper crust · social register · country club
- Regency SocietyRegency, manners, etiquette, courtship, ballrooms
- Victorian etiquettecalling hours, visiting cards, chaperoning, propriety, decorum
- Georgian customsbowing, curtsying, courtly manners, social graces, calling cards
- courtesycivility, decorum, etiquette, good manners, manners
- eliteelite, elites, aristocrats, nobility, best
- conversation piecesgroup portrait, family portrait, domestic scene, tea party, social gathering
polite societythe masses
Common populace collectively
riffraff · hoi polloi · the common people · the proletariat · working class
polite societybad company
Undesirable social circle
hooligans · ruffians · thugs · lowlifes · the underworld
polite societythe underworld
Realm of the dead
outcasts · pariahs · undesirables · untouchables · dens of iniquity
polite, policy, society, politics, impolite, politely, politeness, political, politician