"Excuse my French"

Posted by Bruce Kahl February 23, 2002In reply to "Excuse my French" posted by Michael Kirk-Smith on February 23, 2002

For "Excuse my French", Phrase Finder gives the definition as the origin. Has anyone an idea of the actual origin?

Meaning
Please forgive my swearing.

Origin

A coy phrase where someone who has used a swearword attempts to pass it off as french.

Thanks

m.

I think this goes back to an age-old rivalry between France and the UK.
In the UK, anything considered a bit risque or off-color was considered to be of French origin.
For instance: "French kiss" "French tickler" etc.
So if someone used a swear word then they would attribute that word to the French as in "Excuse my French, but what the f**k happened to that report I was supposed to have this morning??".
Can anybody east of NY confirm this?

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