civil tongue

plural civil tongues

1. idiomaticA polite manner of speaking.

   "[T]here would not have been the least offence had the youth only possessed a civil tongue."

   1855, Charlotte M. Yonge, chapter 3, in The Lances Of Lynwood

   2 more examples

   "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."

   1915, Zane Grey, chapter 4, in The Lone Star Ranger

   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.

   2014, Michael Fitzalan, The Gunpowder Plot and Markham, →ISBN, page 30