Pardon my French
Encyclopedia
"Pardon my French" or "Excuse my French" is a common English language
phrase ostensibly disguising profanity
as French
. The phrase is uttered in an attempt to excuse the user of profanity or curses in the presence of those offended by it under the pretense of the words being part of a foreign language.
The phrase has found large use in broadcast television
and family films where less offensive words are preceded by "pardon my French" to emphasize their meaning without violating censorship
or rating guidelines
. A good example is in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off
. Cameron calls Mr. Rooney and says, "Pardon my French, but you're an asshole." In another segment, Bueller says, "Pardon my French, but Cameron is so tight that if you were to shove a lump of coal up his ass, in two weeks you'd have a diamond."
"Embonpoint" is French for 'plumpness'; state of being well-nourished'.
) is rendered in French as "capote anglaise" (English hood or cap). During the 16th century in England (as well as in Italy and much of the Holy Roman Empire), genital herpes was called the "French disease" and "French-sick" was a term for syphilis
. These are also considered examples of Francophobia
, although in continental Europe they were likely due to foreign (French) armies actually spreading sexually-transmitted diseases.
Robin Thicke and Jay-z collaborated on the song, "Meiple" in 2009 in which Jay-z raps, "Avantgarde, lanvin socks/call me Picasso, Im art on yachts,/Pardon me, oui, in Paris,/Champagne spilling out of my oui oui (wee wee),/Pardon my French, the je ne sais quoi got me on cloud 9,/we finna take off, Paris was a tease now we in the Maldives/
Read more: http://www.killerhiphop.com/robin-thick-jay-z-me-i-play-meiple-lyrics/#ixzz1QrSV9Ixu
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
phrase ostensibly disguising profanity
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
as French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
. The phrase is uttered in an attempt to excuse the user of profanity or curses in the presence of those offended by it under the pretense of the words being part of a foreign language.
The phrase has found large use in broadcast television
Terrestrial television
Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials...
and family films where less offensive words are preceded by "pardon my French" to emphasize their meaning without violating censorship
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
or rating guidelines
Motion picture rating system
A motion picture rating system is designated to classify films with regard to suitability for audiences in terms of issues such as sex, violence, substance abuse, profanity, impudence or other types of mature content...
. A good example is in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a 1986 American teen coming-of-age comedy film written and directed by John Hughes.The film follows high school senior Ferris Bueller , who decides to skip school and spend the day in downtown Chicago...
. Cameron calls Mr. Rooney and says, "Pardon my French, but you're an asshole." In another segment, Bueller says, "Pardon my French, but Cameron is so tight that if you were to shove a lump of coal up his ass, in two weeks you'd have a diamond."
Meaning
A possible meaning is suggested on phrases.org.uk, which 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 apologised 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:- Bless me, how fat you are grown! - absolutely as round as a ball: - you will soon be as embonpoint (excuse my French) as your poor dear father, the major.
"Embonpoint" is French for 'plumpness'; state of being well-nourished'.
Related expressions
Several expressions in French attempt to link various practices perceived as unsavoury to England, e.g., "l'éducation anglaise" (disciplining children by sexually-tinged spanking). Ironically, several expressions are used by both the English and the French to describe the same culturally unacceptable habit, but attributing the habit to the other people : e.g., "taking French leave" (leaving a party or other gathering without taking polite leave of one's host) is referred to in French as "filer à l'anglaise" (literally, "flee English-style"), while the (now somewhat archaic) expression "French letter" (referring to a condomCondom
A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases . It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner...
) is rendered in French as "capote anglaise" (English hood or cap). During the 16th century in England (as well as in Italy and much of the Holy Roman Empire), genital herpes was called the "French disease" and "French-sick" was a term for syphilis
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission is through sexual contact; however, it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis...
. These are also considered examples of Francophobia
Francophobia
Francophobia or Gallophobia are terms that refer to a dislike or hatred toward France, the People of France, the Government of France, or the Francophonie...
, although in continental Europe they were likely due to foreign (French) armies actually spreading sexually-transmitted diseases.
In popular culture
- In an episodeThe Soul Mate"The Soul Mate" is the 136th episode of the American television sitcom Seinfeld. This was the second episode for the 8th season. It was originally broadcast on the NBC network on September 26, 1996....
of the televisionTelevisionTelevision is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series SeinfeldSeinfeldSeinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
, George CostanzaGeorge CostanzaGeorge Louis Costanza is a character in the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Jason Alexander. He has variously been described as a "short, stocky, slow-witted, bald man" , "Lord of the Idiots" , and as "the greatest sitcom character of all time"...
remarks to ElaineElaine BenesElaine Marie Benes is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Seinfeld , played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Elaine's best friend is her ex-boyfriend Jerry Seinfeld; she is also good friends with George Costanza and Cosmo Kramer...
that he once said to a woman, in an effort to impress her, that he coined the phrase.
- The phrase is used in the graphic novel Hulk:Gray, by Jeph LoebJeph LoebJoseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost, writer for the films Commando and Teen Wolf and was a writer and Co-Executive Producer on the NBC TV show Heroes from its...
and Tim SaleTim Sale (artist)Tim Sale is an American Eisner Award-winning comic book artist. He is primarily known for his collaborations with writer Jeph Loeb.-Early life:...
. In the book, the following line occurs: "Pardon my French, but that's the biggest pile of merde I've heard all day". Merde is French for "shitShitShit is usually considered vulgar and profane in Modern English. As a noun it refers to fecal matter and as a verb it means to defecate or defecate in; in the plural it means diarrhea...
."
- The title of a 1935 Three StoogesThree StoogesThe Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best known for their numerous short subject films. Their hallmark was physical farce and extreme slapstick. In films, the Stooges were commonly known by their first names: "Moe, Larry, and Curly" and "Moe,...
short "Pardon My ScotchPardon My ScotchPardon My Scotch is the ninth short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
" suggests a variation on the phrase.
- In The Simpsons shorts, episode "Burping Contest", HomerHomer SimpsonHomer Jay Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons and the patriarch of the eponymous family. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared on television, along with the rest of his family, in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
says "Pardon my French" after burping.
- In the 1990 movie, TremorsTremors (film)Tremors is a 1990 American science fiction horror comedy film directed by Ron Underwood, based on a screenplay by Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson, and starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross and Reba McEntire...
, Earl Bassett (Fred Ward) frequently states "Pardon my French" after swearing.
- In the DiscworldDiscworldDiscworld is a comic fantasy book series by English author Sir Terry Pratchett, set on the Discworld, a flat world balanced on the backs of four elephants which, in turn, stand on the back of a giant turtle, Great A'Tuin. The books frequently parody, or at least take inspiration from, J. R. R....
series of books by Terry PratchettTerry PratchettSir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...
, the related phrase "Pardon my Klatchian" is used as an equivalent, referring to the desert nation of Klatch, seen as barbarian.
- In the Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
comedy sketch Celebrity Jeopardy, Norm MacdonaldNorm MacDonaldNorman Gene "Norm" Macdonald is a Canadian stand-up comedian, writer and actor. He is best known for his five seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, which included anchoring Weekend Update for three years...
(impersonating Burt ReynoldsBurt ReynoldsBurton Leon "Burt" Reynolds, Jr. is an American actor. Some of his memorable roles include Bo 'Bandit' Darville in Smokey and the Bandit, Lewis Medlock in Deliverance, Bobby "Gator" McCluskey in White Lightning and sequel Gator, Paul Crewe and Coach Nate Scarborough in The Longest Yard and its...
) remarks to a previous statement: "Hey, I speak a little French. You're an asswipe, pardon my French."
- In the SpongeBob SquarePantsSpongeBob SquarePantsSpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
episode Sandy's Rocket, at one point a sleeping Squidward puts his tentacle on Patrick's helmet. Patrick and SpongeBob think he is an alien. When Squidward does this, Patrick yells, "Pardon my French, but GET THIS THING OFF ME!"
- In The TV Show South ParkSouth ParkSouth Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
, episode The Jeffersons, EricEric CartmanEric Theodore Cartman is a fictional character in the American animated television series South Park. One of four main characters, along with Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Kenny McCormick, he is generally referred to within the series by his last name...
states "Well, excuse my French, Mrs. Marsh, but you can suck my fat hairy balls!" after being told not to go to Mr. JeffersonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's home anymore.
- In the 1991 film Frankie and Johnny, Johnny (Al Pacino) says frequently "Pardon My French" after swearing in front of Frankie (Michelle Pfeiffer).
- Edited episodes of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson feature censorship based on this phrase. When Ferguson or his guests use profanity that the FCC won't allow, a French flag covers the mouth of the person speaking, and a voice-over by Ferguson saying "Ooh-la-la" is used to censor the curse word.
- In The SopranosThe SopranosThe Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
, Carmella Soprano frequently uses "pardon my French".
- In the TV series The WireThe WIREthe WIRE is the student-run College radio station at the University of Oklahoma, broadcasting in a freeform format. The WIRE serves the University of Oklahoma and surrounding communities, and is staffed by student DJs. The WIRE broadcasts at 1710 kHz AM in Norman, Oklahoma...
, episode "Reformation" the assistant state's attorney Rhonda PearlmanRhonda PearlmanRhonda Pearlman is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actress Deirdre Lovejoy. Pearlman has been the legal system liaison for all of Lieutenant Cedric Daniels' investigations on the show...
says "The fact is, the industry has all of us by the balls. Pardon my French, your honor. "
- In an episode of Mongrels (TV series), Nelson says "Whoa... Did you just call Vince a... Uh... A cunt if you'll pardon my French?"
Robin Thicke and Jay-z collaborated on the song, "Meiple" in 2009 in which Jay-z raps, "Avantgarde, lanvin socks/call me Picasso, Im art on yachts,/Pardon me, oui, in Paris,/Champagne spilling out of my oui oui (wee wee),/Pardon my French, the je ne sais quoi got me on cloud 9,/we finna take off, Paris was a tease now we in the Maldives/
Read more: http://www.killerhiphop.com/robin-thick-jay-z-me-i-play-meiple-lyrics/#ixzz1QrSV9Ixu