In the olden days—a period of time as ephemeral as the name suggests, encompassing far more than just the vague pseudo-Victorian semi-1950s era we think of when we use it—there was a societal code women used to reject unfit suitors without seeming untoward. Not that men have ever gotten the point, even with a point-blank firm “no”, but it used to seem fun—to demur, flutter your fan in this exact fashion; to snub, avoid eye contact; to let down easy, say, “it’s not you, it’s me.”

I keep my head down and I keep my answers single-syllabic.

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