Why do we say excuse my French when we swear?

Answer 1

cos they're c**ts!!! excuse my french.

i can't believe Y!A doesn't * out that word. i had to edit it.

Answer 2

The reason is more straight-forward than you think.

Many English speaking people consider French to be a some-what dated or dare I say 'bad language'.

Of course people also associate the word 'bad language' when they swear.

So... it's just a bit of word play, suggesting that French is just as bad as swearing. Or that by using French or swearing we are guilty of the same crime.

Answer 3

After the Norman conquest most of the nobility spoke French and when they got angry with us Brits, they forgot to speak English, and raved at us in French. With their angry tones and gestures it was obvious that they wern't being polite, and were probably swearing at us. Thereafter anyone speaking French was considered to be swearing.

Answer 4

I think it is because English speaking people are rude in general and it is easy for them to be rude to the French because they like to think that the French are more rude that they are. So they think that they are more polite and it shows how they don't like the French. In all, the French call that Hypochrisy! Voilà!
Merde! Oh! Excuse my English! Am I arrogant ? Sure.

Answer 5

I think it's because swearing is considered rude, and people often associate rudeness with the French.

Answer 6

I always thought that people said it in front of children and stuff when they swore, because it's not common that kids speak French, so it was like another language? But I guess I'm wronggg.

Answer 7

that because considered swearing, french is one of the nost rudest languages.

Answer 8

Hope this helps.