sir-reverence
English edit
Etymology edit
An alteration of save-reverence or "save your reverence" (seen e.g. in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, act 1 scene 4), an apology for alluding to anything likely to shock one's sense of decency.
Noun edit
sir-reverence (countable and uncountable, plural sir-reverences)
Interjection edit
- (obsolete) Used apologetically when something offensive is mentioned.