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Who wrote the best-selling book Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home?

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etiquette

American  

[et-i-kit, -ket] / ˈɛt ɪ kɪt, -ˌkɛt /

noun

1. 

   conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.

2. a prescribed or accepted code of usage in matters of ceremony, as at a court or in official or other formal observances.

3. the code of ethical behavior regarding professional practice or action among the members of a profession in their dealings with each other.

   medical etiquette.

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etiquette British  

/ ˈɛtɪˌkɛt, ˌɛtɪˈkɛt /

noun

1. the customs or rules governing behaviour regarded as correct or acceptable in social or official life

2. a conventional but unwritten code of practice followed by members of any of certain professions or groups

   medical etiquette

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Synonym Usage

Etiquette, decorum, propriety imply observance of the formal requirements governing behavior in polite society. Etiquette refers to conventional forms and usages: the rules of etiquette. Decorum suggests dignity and a sense of what is becoming or appropriate for a person of good breeding: a fine sense of decorum. Propriety (usually plural) implies established conventions of morals and good taste: She never fails to observe the proprieties.

Etymology

Origin of etiquette

First recorded in 1730–40; from French étiquette, Middle French estiquette “ticket, label, memorandum,” derivative of estiqu(i)er “to attach, stick” from Germanic. See stick ², -ette

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Explanation

Etiquette is a code of polite conduct. If you practice proper etiquette, you are less likely to offend or annoy people — and you may even charm them. Many people think etiquette is about table manners in fancy restaurants, but quite simply, it is expected behavior that shows respect, meant to make everyone feel comfortable. For example, an etiquette book will tell you to bring a little gift when you are a dinner guest in someone's home, especially if it is your first visit — you know what is expected of you, and your gift shows respect and gratitude.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

etiquette

From a governess in Pondicherry she learns etiquette, charm and culture, and at 13 she sails for Paris determined to become a society lady.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

Do you have questions about inheritance, financial literacy or etiquette, estate planning, friendship, divorce, or other tricky money issues relating to family and friends?

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

That, frankly, bothers me more than almost anything else raised in these etiquette debates.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

"Where there is more of a grey area is with coughs and colds. Since Covid, workplace etiquette has changed - generally it's considered polite to work from home."

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

They were, to a degree that would have been fascinating in less trying circumstances, stupid, obnoxious, cheerfully but astonishingly self-absorbed, and not remotely acquainted with trail etiquette.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

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