For Your Edification

Rules of Etiquette and Home Culture; or, What to Do and How to Do It. 28th edition, 1907.

Chapter IX.
Conversation

VULGAR EXCLAMATIONS.

Such exclamations as "The Dickens," or "Mercy," or "Good Gracious," should never be used. If you are surprised or astonished, suppress the fact. Such expressions border closely on profanity.

CONVERSING WITH LADIES.

A gentleman should never lower the intellectual standard in conversing with ladies. He should consider them as equal in undertanding with himself. A lady of intelligence will not feel complimented by any means, if, when you talk to her, you "come down" to common-place topics.