nice-nellyism

[ nahys-nel-ee-iz-uhm ]

/ ˈnaɪsˈnɛl iˌɪz əm /

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excessive modesty; prudishness.

a euphemism: an evasive style of writing, full of circumlocutions and nice-nellyisms.

QUIZZES

In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”

Question 1 of 7

The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

First recorded in 1935–40; nice nelly + -ism

From there we took the train to Nice, France, but the French border control caught us and sent us back to Italy.
Ghost Ships of the Mediterranean|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Another beautiful Eminor number, with a nice shift up to the major for the chorus.
Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Champagne, which is also acidic, offers a nice complement to anything from tuna tartare to beef bourguignon.
Champagne: You’re Drinking It All Wrong|Kayleigh Kulp|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And there are a few nice things buried beneath the rubble that I could use in my apartment.
I’m a Digital Hoarder|Lizzie Crocker|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It was also nice to have a place where my family and friends could see what was going on in my life.
Blogger Shares and Shames Cancer in ‘Lily’|Amy Grantham|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is more of artfulness in the flatteries which appear to involve a calculating intention to say the nice agreeable thing.
Children's Ways|James Sully
I don't care, it ain't nice, and I wonder aunt brought us to such a place.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
And right after that, some nice sour milk would come splashing down into the trough of the pen.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
The boy backed away from him, and stood a little distance off, holding out a nice, juicy potato this time.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
"I don't think that is a very nice taste," said Davy, beginning to feel very uneasy.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl