derech eretz

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Hebrew דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ (“way of the land”).

Noun

derech eretz (uncountable)

1. (Jewish) Proper behavior; manners
   • 2002 September 26, Jess Olson, “Kol Sasson”, in soc.culture.jewish.moderated‎^[1] (Usenet):

     Just admit it: it really reveals a tremendous lack of derekh erets to ask someone these questions if you aren't directly interested or affected in some way (which, short of being this guy's wife, I don't know how you could be). I'd suggest rather than defending your question, you refrain from asking it.