Should we all be more direct? A new survey has established the most popular British “polite-isms” — ways of saying things to avoid confrontation, even if they are the opposite of what you think.
Britain’s top polite lies revealed
Polite society: John Cleese (AI-generated above), best known for playing the irascible Basil Fawlty in 1970s sitcom Fawlty Towers, says Britain was a "calmer, more polite" country when he grew up. Glossary
Distinguished - Very successful and worthy of respect.
Old English - The language spoken by Anglo-Saxons in England between the 5th and 12th centuries, when it evolved into Middle English. It is largely incomprehensible to modern English speakers.
Bluntness - Being direct and speaking without paying attention to others' feelings.
Arrogant - Thinking very highly of oneself.