<P> "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 . Although the phrase is often used without any explicit or implicit intention of insulting the French people or language, it can nevertheless be perceived as offensive and belittling by Francophone speakers . However, most users of the term intend no such belittlement, but rather a light - hearted way of apologizing on - the - fly for having used a somewhat profane comment . In other words, it can be (and usually is) used as a very effective oral English device to indicate that the speaker does not intend to escalate the general level of profanity use . </P> <P> At least one source suggests that the phrase "derives from a literal usage of the exclamation . In the 19th century, when English people used French expressions in conversation they often apologized for it - presumably because many of their listeners (then as now) wouldn't be familiar with the language". The definition cites an example from The Lady's Magazine, 1830: </P>

What is the meaning of excuse my french