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(Uh oh, another French post by gift horse).  I went out with a friend yesterday and noticed that each time she cursed she said, "Excuse my French". Aside from being slightly annoyed, I started to wonder, where did this saying come from? Is it my imagination that it seems a derogatory statement -- however indirectly -- towards the French? I've heard it numerous times, but didn't know its history. The saying seemed particularly ironic since many of the words my friend was apologizing for don't seem to have French origins. I did a little search in google and found this: http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=232360Do any of you know if these answers are accurate?
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose..
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veteran
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veteran
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My take on this is that the speaker is implying that [s]he is saying something in a language other than the usual English and makes a faux apology the same as one might do who dropped a Latin or Greek phrase into a casual conversation. Why French? I think it's an arbitrary choice because it's the most likely to be a second language for English speakers. I have never had the impression that there was any derogatory implication towards France, the French, their mores or their language. I could be wrong.
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old hand
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old hand
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I have never had the impression that there was any derogatory implication towards France On the surface, there certainly was - but probably weighed up by that certain secret envy.
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More often I have heard the phrase "pardon the language" when one slips a naughty word into conversation. Haven't heard the French connection for yonks years.
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plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose..
Oui! Some people party like it's 1899.
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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1899 - Ahhh! "La Belle Epoque", quand le plaisir régnait!
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In Poland, we say "Excuse my Latin" 
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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rav! 
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Pooh-Bah
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excuse my Latin
- which resonates with byb's response - I, also, had always taken the same take (if you see what I mean!)
And nice to see you back again, rav!
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Pooh-Bah
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Interesting that most people say "excuse my French" after using "Anglo-Saxon" words. A hold over from when vulger language and swear words came from the Anglo-saxon lower class not the Normon/FRench upper class.
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Pooh-Bah
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Oh, I doubt the expression is that old. You probably only need to go back to the Napoleonic Wars (or any other time - or any time - when the English have decided to hold the French up as an example of all that is execrable ...)
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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But most of the curse-words are that old.
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But most of the curse-words are that old.
But are most curse-words really of Anglo-Saxon origin? I'm only asking because I'm too lazy to look all of them up in my book of Etymology.
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You probably only need to go back to the Napoleonic Wars (or any other time - or any time - when the English have decided to hold the French up as an example of all that is execrable ...)Then how you'll explain that expression with 'Latin'? I may also add that we call it "kitchen Latin" or "backyard Latin" - these are strict translations from Polish, but I also saw such English expression: "dog Latin". Well, it can't be SO old 
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old hand
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Hi Giftie, and all,
I'm currently skimming through The English: A Protrait of a People, by Jeremy Paxman, and discovered some of the many negative terms associated with 'French' (leave, kisses, drive [in cricket], and so on), but, beautifully, some French retaliation as well. Most delicious is les Anglais ont débarqué for menstruation. Which, with all that I've been smoking, gives rise to a
[fantasia]
Of French origin, but affecting a neatly Puritan outlook, young Paul Revere is in an agony of anxiety, fearful that his dreadful secret will come out and he will be ostracised, or worse, by his community.
Then, his mistress tells him the good news, and already driven half-crazy by fear, he snaps, and announces his delight to the world, running through the streets of Lexington and Concord, ringing out the wild bells and screaming his ecstasy - except he does it in his adopted language, English, translating it literally and unwittingly kick-starting the United States of America.
[/fantasia]
cheer
the sunshine warrior
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Either you have the most creative mind on earth, or I need to start smoking what you're smoking. Perhaps bother are true. Well done at any rate.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Ok--now I get it. Funny! les Anglais ont débarqué = The British have landed.
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old hand
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old hand
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Just to top and tail it - I presume the phrase arose because of the British Redcoats....
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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You're both twisted. But funny!
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old hand
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old hand
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You smoke what I smoke and they'll take away your voting privileges - this is Jeb's state we're talking about, right?
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You smoke what I smoke and they'll take away your voting privileges - this is Jeb's state we're talking about, right?Good point. Oh well, I already smoke figuratively at any rate. Smokin' Giftie
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old hand
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old hand
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I already smoke figuratively
And you get what: a metaphorical high? or tied in picturesque knots?
chuckle
the sunshine warrior
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...or tied in picturesque knots?Would I be tied up or down?
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