Something that you do when you need to fart in a public place, and you know it's gonna be a loud one.
by Wise Man October 07, 2003
When someone's cell phone goes off in a classroom and everyone in that area coughs to cover it up. Normally used by students at up-tight high schools.
Megan's phone started goin off in English so we all gave her a courtesy cough so that the teacher wouldn't hear it.
by scottie does know December 16, 2005
A cough added for "punctuation" during a long speech to prevent run-on sentences, or to prepare the speaker when s/he isn't sure of what to say next.
by pentozali November 10, 2006
The cough, necessary or not, made by a bathroom stall dweller, alerting outsiders that the stall is in use.
With the stall lock broken, Brad felt the need to give a courtesy cough, just in case someone felt the need to intrude on his private poop area.
by TheSein September 14, 2011