The definition cites an example from The Lady's Magazine, 1830: īless me, how fat you are grown! – absolutely as round as a ball: – you will soon be as embonpoint (excuse my French) as your poor dear father, the major.
In the 19th century, when English people used French expressions in conversation they often apologized for it – presumably because many of their listeners (then as now) wouldn't be familiar with the language". The phrase is uttered in an attempt to excuse the user of profanity, swearing, or curses in the presence of those offended by it, under the pretense of the words being part of a foreign language.Īt least one source suggests that the phrase "derives from a literal usage of the exclamation. " Pardon my French" or " Excuse my French" is a common English language phrase ostensibly disguising profanity as words from the French language. For other uses, see Pardon my French (disambiguation) and Excuse My French (disambiguation).
0 kommentar(er)
