御世辞
おせじ · oseji · JLPT N1 · noun
flattery
御 honorific + 世 society + 辞 words = polite words that smooth social life
The honorific 御 is often added to 世辞, the words people use to keep social life pleasant. Modern Japanese usually writes it as お世辞, with the kana for the honorific.
辞 — 舌 (tongue) + 辛 (bitter/blade)
Originally written 辭, depicting hands sorting tangled threads beside 辛 (a knife or judgment), meaning to settle disputes with words. The modern simplified form replaces the left side with 舌 (tongue), reinforcing the speech sense. Meanings extended from 'legal statement' to 'words, phrases, to take leave.'