Early 18th century; earliest use found in Mary Wortley Montagu (bap. 1689, d. 1762), writer. From French mauvaise honte from mauvaise, feminine of mauvais bad + honte shame.
Definition of mauvaise honte in US English:
mauvaise honte
nounməʊˈveɪz ˈɒ̃t
False shame or modesty.
Origin
Early 18th century; earliest use found in Mary Wortley Montagu (bap. 1689, d. 1762), writer. From French mauvaise honte from mauvaise, feminine of mauvais bad + honte shame.