civil tongue
English
Pronunciation
Audio (AU) (file)
Noun
civil tongue (plural civil tongues)
- (idiomatic) A polite manner of speaking.
- 1855, Charlotte M. Yonge, chapter 3, in The Lances Of Lynwood:
- "[T]here would not have been the least offence had the youth only possessed a civil tongue."
- 1915, Zane Grey, chapter 4, in The Lone Star Ranger:
- "Mister Duane," began Bosomer, in low, stinging tones, "I happen to be Luke Stevens's side-pardner. . . . An' I want the hoss an' them guns," he shouted.
- "You or anybody else can have them, for all I care. I just fetched them in. But the pack is mine," replied Duane. "And say, I befriended your pard. If you can't use a civil tongue you'd better cinch it."
- 2014, Michael Fitzalan, The Gunpowder Plot and Markham, →ISBN, page 30:
- They sang "good morrow" in reply, making sure they addressed him with a civil tongue; they, after all, wanted a tip for their good service.
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Usage notes
- Usually used in the expression keep a civil tongue in one's head.
Derived terms
- keep a civil tongue in one's head