Hypothetical

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Plausible deniability.

A lawyer’s “scare quotes” that says, we didn’t have this conversation, and if you claim that we did, I will deny all knowledge. Knowing looks, and an expression which says “haven’t I been clever”. It may be followed hard on its heels, by a vigorous bout of deeming.

See also

• The reasonable man (or, for that matter, woman)
• Sexy language. Sorry, I mean sexist language.