charm school

noun

1. a school for teaching the social graces, grooming and dress, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of charm school¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

One of their shows, “Charm School,” centered on unsophisticated young women taking lessons on style and class.

From Los Angeles Times

Fans of the 1992 movie might remember the scenes detailing the makeup and “look” required of players and the charm school they attended.

From Seattle Times

Gloria Allen, 76, who ran a charm school for transgender youths, died June 13 at her home in Lakeview, Illinois, where she lived in an apartment complex for LGBTQ+seniors.

From Seattle Times

By 2012, she had started running a charm school for transgender youths, providing lessons in etiquette and comportment while instilling confidence and strength in her students.

From Seattle Times

The idea for a transgender charm school emerged out of Ms. Allen’s time at the Center on Halsted, where she met teenagers who were loud and, as she told it, a little rude, with an approach to fashion and etiquette that was far different from someone who had been taught to wear gloves and a fancy hat for formal occasions.

From Washington Post