How come when people curse they say, "EXCUSE MY FRENCH", when there's nothing FRENCH about it?

Question

where did that terminology come from?
i'm just curious

great information. thank you. i learned something today!!!......lol

Answer 1

It comes from the British, who popularized this saying since they are historical enemies of the French.

Answer 2

In Victorian and Edwardian times, the British upper class gentlemen would express things they considered distasteful in the French language rather than English.

This may have been because they didn't want young children or their womenfolk (usually not as well educated) to understand exactly what was said. They swore in French rather than subject "tender ears" to vulgar English.

After such use of French they would often say "Pardon my French," as it was not considered polite to use a foreign language unless everyone present could understand it.

However, as time passed it became a phrase that was said after uttering any bad language at all, not that just that actually spoken in French. And as the British (until recent times) held the French in low esteem, it was considered humorous to curse and say it was "French."

Answer 3

the reason some people say "excuse my french" is because some people don't know those cuss words are bad so it's sort of like your saying you're not very good at French. Or some people just think it's cool.

Answer 4

Hello dear!
I suppose that since French is considered to be the language of love, and when people are cursing they use the expression metaphorically!

Answer 5

French is known as a very beautiful language. But when people curse it does not sound as beautiful as French would sound. thet's why they appologise for their language, which is expected to sound more beautiful, as French, all the time!!!

Answer 6

I don't know, but French people aren't as bad as many people are pointing them out to be....
I think it's simply just an expression.

Answer 7

hm i think it's when you go "stupid fu*king a**hole" and the other person goes "what was that you just said??!!" and you went (in the old days) "oh nothing, i was speaking french" and it became an old joke, so ppl started saying "excuse my french" before cussing.

Answer 8

maybe because french people are known to curse a lot!

Answer 9

Something where no one ever like the french....so they just say "excuse my french"...nobody says can i get french fries anymore...they say can i get some fries...or mickey d's fries...stuff like that

Answer 10

"EXCUSE MY FRENCH", is just an expression used to pardon the rudeness of oneself relative to the rudeness of a Frenchman/woman.