I can find many instances of this expression, especially in descriptions of characters' lines in written dialog, but I can't find any mention to the expression itself. I understand that deference means polite submission and respect, so I take mock deference to mean that it's mocking someone by speaking with deference; like an employer calling an employee by boss.
Not being a native English speaker, I'm looking for a grounded meaning of this expression so I can be confident that I'm using it right.
Best Answer
It is not mocking someone by speaking with deference so much as speaking with a deference which is "mock" as in not real deference. It would be pretending to speak with deference when you are not. Usually "mock deference" is also obviously fake.