Occasionally a word wends its way into the cockles of whatever the Internet has instead of a heart. Classy, the adjectival equivalent of a graceful, pearl-draped woman in a ball gown, is one example.

Tension: “Classy” is marketed as labels and posture, yet true elegance flows from inner steadiness that can’t be bought or faked. Noise: Influencer etiquette reels reduce sophistication to handbag ...