Word · Food & drink

polite-declining

verb /puh-lyt-di-kly-ning/

Definition

The masochistic British habit of rejecting food you crave, solely to appear generous and well-mannered.

In use

“I was polite-declining the garlic bread while my stomach was rumbling.”

Filed under

british life politeness takeaways
Published 3 August 2026

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The details

About this word

The language, classification and history attached to this Definr entry.

Language

Language form
verb
Pronunciation
/puh-lyt-di-kly-ning/

Classification

Life domain
Everyday life

History

Published
Last updated

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