pardon my French

Definition

To excuse the speaker's frankness of expression or profanity.

Etymology

From the use of French to mean “vulgar language”, ostensibly because the words used are not in English.

Example Sentences

• "That computer is a worthless piece of shit, if you’ll pardon my French."
• "'Have you been in England long?' / 'A damned sight too long—if you'll pardon my French,' she answered."
• "Pardon my French, but Cameron is so tight that if you stuck a lump of coal up his ass, in two weeks you'd have a diamond."

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