mannerdo

Mannerdo is a term used in speculative discourse to describe a coded system of interpersonal conduct that emphasizes formal politeness, ordered speech, and restrained emotion. It is not widely attested in real-world etiquette scholarship and typically appears within fictional works or theoretical essays exploring social performativity.

In fictional treatments, mannerdo includes formal forms of address, ritualized apologies and acknowledgments, avoidance of direct confrontation, and nonverbal cues such as posture and gaze used to signal deference. The concept is often employed to examine how social norms govern interaction and how performances of civility can mask power dynamics or conflict.

Etymology is likely a coined blend of “manner” and “do,” with no single authoritative origin. As a constructed term, it is generally treated as an invented concept rather than a historical or widely adopted category in etiquette studies.

In literature and media, mannerdo is used to critique or illuminate how cultural norms shape behavior, sometimes contrasting it with improvisational or confrontational styles of interaction. Proponents view it as a useful lens for exploring performativity, social hierarchy, and the consequences of rigid politeness in everyday life.

See also: etiquette, politeness theory, sociolinguistics, performativity.