french

Excuse my inappropriate language. Usually used humorously, especially around children, as if to suggest that an inappropriate word was in fact a word from a different language. A: "John, don't use language like that in front of the kids." B: "Oops, excuse my French, everyone!" Excuse my French, but this tasted like shit. Excuse my French, but Charles is being a complete asshole right now.

The practice of open-mouthed kissing in which both partners' tongues touch. In my day and age, French kissing was not something one did in public! A: "He's older than you, so he's probably going to want to French kiss. You do know what French kissing is, right?" B: "Yeah, sure, totally." Does your demerit literally say it's for "French kissing on the school bus"? Ha, that's hilarious.

slang A condom. Primarily heard in UK. I have a date tonight, so I need to make sure I have a French letter in my wallet. In an effort to promote safe sexual practices, the student union began handing out French letters to everyone passing by. A: "Why on earth wouldn't you use a French letter, dude?" B: "She told me she was on the pill!"

slang A condom designed with additional tactile elements, such as bumps, spirals, ribs, etc., so as to heighten stimulation of one's partner during intercourse. Primarily heard in UK, Ireland. Trust me, you should definitely try wearing a French tickler at least once—your partner will love it. He was reluctant to use a French tickler, but once we tried it, he loved how much more I enjoyed myself in the bedroom. Have you tried a French tickler with your boyfriend? Ooh, it's quite an experience!

Excuse my inappropriate language. Usually used humorously, especially around children, as if to suggest that an inappropriate word was in fact a word from a different language. A: "John, don't use language like that in front of the kids." B: "Oops, pardon my French, everyone!" Pardon my French, but this tasted like shit.

Inf. Excuse my use of swear words or taboo words. (Does not refer to real French.) Pardon my French, but this is a hell of a day. What she needs is a kick in the ass, if you'll excuse my French.

People say pardon my French to apologize in a humorous way for using a rude word. What a bunch of a-holes, pardon my French.

See pardon my French.

Please excuse the strong language. Exactly why French should mean “bad language” is not known, but this usage dates from the late 1800s. Eric Partridge speculated that the phrase was picked up by British soldiers in France during World War I and was first recorded during this period. However, given that language such as the F-word has become commonplace in popular entertainment and public life, this cliché is probably obsolescent, if not obsolete. Also see swear like a trooper; you should excuse the expression.

To leave without saying good-bye. The British thought that sneaking away from a gathering without telling anyone you're going wasn't acceptable manners across the channel. Curiously, or perhaps typically, the French refer to the same practice as filer a` l'anglais (“take English leave”). Americans used to use the phrase without knowing its origin. It has been said that the French leave but never say good-bye, while Americans say good-bye but never leave. “French leave” is also military slang for deserting.

Please excuse my language. In the days when language propriety was more of an issue than it is now, using a word or phrase that was “unfit for mixed company” was likely to lead to embarrassment. Since French was considered a racy language, people excused themselves with “pardon my French.”