Courtesying

/ˈkɜːrtəsiːɪŋ/ verb

Definition

Present participle of curtsy or courtesy; the act of showing respect through a polite gesture or expression.

Etymology

From 'courtesy' with the progressive suffix '-ing' added, though 'curtseying' is the more common modern spelling for the physical gesture's gerund form.

Kelly Says

When you 'curtsy,' you're performing a gesture that encodes an entire philosophy—bending your knees while your eyes stay forward means 'I respect your status but maintain my dignity,' which is why the gesture survived for centuries!

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