- honours
- honourBritisha system whereby politicians reward supporters and discourage dissidentsAlthough nominally under royal patronage, those chosen for inclusion are selected by government on populist or political grounds, an honour being the reward or bribe:... allegations that he had received financial benefits from... a London solicitor whom he subsequently recommended for an honour. (Sunday Telegraph, 10 June 2001)They certainly wouldn't bother to ingratiate themselves with royalty if they knew how the Honours system actually operates. (A. Clark, 1993 — fawning businessmen were at a meeting attended by the Prince of Wales)For acts of bravery, some honour is still attached to an award:Before I had time to congratulate him on his Honour he hurried away. (Ranfurly, 1994, diary entry of 2 January 1942 — David Stirling had been awarded a medal for bravery)
How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. R. W. Holder. 2014.