Definition

Noun: A trade-last is a specific type of social exchange where one person offers to tell another person a compliment they have heard about them, but only in return for hearing a compliment that the second person has heard about the first. It is an agreement to swap flattering remarks.

Usage

The term is used to describe the act or the item (the compliment itself) being offered in this reciprocal exchange. It is a somewhat old-fashioned or formal social custom. - The key structure is: "I have a trade-last for you." This means "I have heard a compliment about you, and I will tell you what it is if you tell me a compliment you've heard about me."

Examples

• "At the party, Sarah said to John, 'I have a trade-last for you. Mary said you were the most interesting person here. Now, what have you heard about me?'"
• "He offered a trade-last as a way to start a friendly conversation."
• "The concept of a trade-last was more common in polite society a century ago."

Advanced Usage

The term is almost exclusively used in its literal sense to describe this specific social ritual. Its usage today is rare and often evokes a bygone era of etiquette.

Variants and Related Words

• Trade (verb/noun): The general act of exchanging one thing for another. A trade-last is a specialized form of trade.
• Compliment (noun): A polite expression of praise or admiration. This is the item being traded in a trade-last.

Synonyms

• Reciprocal compliment
• Compliment exchange

Notes on Meaning

This word has a single, very specific meaning related to a social custom. It does not have different meanings in different contexts.

Noun

1. a compliment that I heard about you that I offer to trade for a compliment you have heard about me