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      • An apologetic expression that follows a swear word or profanity and asks to be excused or pardoned, in a coy attempt to pass it off as French. It was first used in this way from the 1930s but before this, from about the 1830s, it was used literally to apologise for using real French expressions in normal, everyday English.
      idiomorigins.org/origin/pardonexcuse-my-french
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  2. Pardon my French" or "Excuse my French" is a common English language phrase ostensibly disguising profanity as words from the French 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.

  3. The phrase “pardon my French” is a commonly used idiom in English that is often uttered after someone has used profanity or vulgar language. However, the origins of this phrase are not entirely clear, and there are several theories about how it came to be.

  4. Jul 3, 2024 · Meaning. an informal way to say sorry for using bad language. a light-hearted way to apologize for swearing, pretending the words are in another language. originally meant to apologize for using French words in English, especially when listeners might not understand them.

  5. The use of “pardon my French” in popular media is well-documented. It is often used as a preface to curses and insults, and for comedic effect. The earliest known written record wherein this phrase was used was in the 1830 edition of The Lady’s Magazine.

  6. Feb 23, 2022 · The phrase "pardon my French" is often used to preface a curse word, but does it actually have roots in the French language? Here's where it comes from.

  7. ‘Pardon my French’ was originally used in England when someone used a French word, when speaking to someone who may not have had the social standing to understand French.

  8. Mar 15, 2022 · The origin of the saying, " pardon my French ," comes from the 19th century. It's no secret that the British and French have a lasting feud between the nations going back hundreds of years. The British would see the French as a vulgar nation. The definition of the saying " pardon my French " comes from The Lady's Magazine, published in 1830.

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