french

Related to french: France, French words

excuse my 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.
See also: excuse, french

French kiss

1. noun An open-mouthed kiss in which both partners' tongues touch. I was a little surprised when she gave me a French kiss on our first date.
2. verb To kiss in such a manner. I'd prefer it if people didn't French kiss in public; it's just not something other people want to see!
See also: french, kiss

French kissing

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!
See also: french, kiss

French leave

1. An absence or departure from some place or event without ceremony, permission, or announcement. The official story is that he's sick, but I think he's just taking French leave. As the evening wore on, we decided to just take French leave and make our way home.
2. In the military, desertion of one's unit. The sergeant is facing a court martial after it was discovered that he'd taken French leave just before the deadly operation.
See also: french, leave

French letter

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.
See also: french, letter

French tickler

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.
See also: french, tickler

pardon my 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, pardon my French, everyone!" Pardon my French, but this tasted like shit.
See also: french, pardon

take French leave

1. To depart or absent oneself from some place or event without ceremony, permission, or announcement. The official story is that he's sick, but I think he's just taking French leave. As the evening wore on, we decided to take French leave and make our way home.
2. In the military, to desert one's unit. The sergeant is facing a court martial after it was discovered that he'd taken French leave just before the deadly operation.
See also: french, leave, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Pardon my French,

 and Excuse my French.
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.
See also: french, pardon
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

pardon my French

INFORMAL
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 also: french, pardon
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

excuse (or pardon) my French

used to apologize for swearing. informal
French has been used since the late 19th century as a euphemism for bad language.
1992 Angela Lambert A Rather English Marriage A loony can change a bloody toilet-roll, pardon my French.
See also: excuse, french

take French leave

make an unannounced or unauthorized departure.
This expression stems from the custom prevalent in 18th-century France of leaving a reception or entertainment without saying goodbye to your host or hostess.
See also: french, leave, take
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

exˌcuse/ˌpardon my ˈFrench

(informal, humorous) used for saying you are sorry when you have used or are going to use rude or offensive language: Ouch, bloody hell! Oops, excuse my French! If you’ll pardon my French, he’s a bloody fool.
See also: excuse, french, pardon

take French ˈleave

(British English, old-fashioned or humorous) leave your work, duty, etc. without permission; go away without telling anyone: I think I might take French leave this afternoon and go to the cinema.This idiom is said to refer to the eighteenth-century French custom of leaving a dinner or party without saying goodbye to the host or hostess.
See also: french, leave, take
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

flying-fuck

1. n. a real or imaginary act of copulation where the male leaps or dives onto and into the female. (Usually objectionable.) The movie showed some jerk allegedly performing a flying-fuck, just for laughs.
2. and french-fried-fuck n. something totally worthless. (Usually objectionable.) Who gives a flying-fuck anyway? I wouldn’t give you a french-fried-fuck for all the crummy cars like that in the world.

french-fried-fuck

verb
See flying-fuck

French

1. n. an act of oral sex. (Usually objectionable.) How much is a French at a cathouse like that?
2. mod. referring to oral sex. (Usually objectionable.) He tried some French stuff on her, and she nearly killed him.
3. tv. to perform oral sex on someone. (Usually objectionable.) He wanted her to French him.
4. tv. & in. to kiss someone using the tongue; to French kiss. We were French kissing when the teacher came in.

French kiss

1. n. kissing using the tongue; open-mouth kissing. I didn’t know whether I was going to get a French kiss or a fish-kiss.
2. tv. to kiss someone using the tongue. He tried to French kiss me, but I stopped him.
See also: french, kiss

Pardon my French

and Excuse my French
sent. Excuse my use of swear words or taboo words.; Excuse my choice of vocabulary. (Does not refer to real French.) What she needs is a kick in the butt, if you’ll excuse my French.
See also: french, pardon

Excuse my French

verb
See Pardon my French
See also: excuse, french
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

excuse my French

See pardon my French.
See also: excuse, french

pardon/excuse 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.
See also: excuse, french, pardon
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer

French leave

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.
See also: french, leave

pardon my French

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.”
See also: french, pardon
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • excuse my French
  • excuse/pardon my French
  • pardon my French
  • drop the F-bomb
  • dizzle
  • dizzle a wild card word for words beginning with
  • asking for a friend
  • potty mouth
  • toilet mouth
  • can't/couldn't very well do something
References in periodicals archive
He said French performance at junior secondary schools was below par in comparison to seniour secondary schools whose performance had been excellent
Alliance Francaise, ministry collaboration effective
He assures the Association that the Ministry will contact a group in the United States to print and supply French textbooks to Liberia for primary and secondary levels.
Liberia lacks French textbooks
The musicians include "French Touch DJ, Fuzzy Wall and Ivy Palace."
French National Day party in Taipei kicks off July 14
Cofrex is talking to other concerned partners, including the "French Embassy, French Business Council (FBC) and the French Trade Commission -- all are working together on a national plan to increase the awareness of French companies about the importance of Expo 2020 and what the French pavilion should be like," Cruz said.
Paris is working on spreading awareness among French companies on Expo 2020
Skip the sweets for a savory meal with (http://thefoodcharlatan.com/2014/06/13/savory-parmesan-french-toast-hollandaise-sauce/) this tasty French toast topped with hollandaise.
5 Recipes Ideas For National French Toast Day
Visitors who would like to meet the French companies exhibiting at the French Tech pavilion are advised to head to Hall 4.
French Tech pavilion backs French businesses at GITEX 2016
Before Paris agreement, French embassy in Pakistan and Ministry of Climate Change organized several events for public awareness and involving youth of Pakistan", said by the Federal Minister for Climate Change.
Pakistan celebrate National Day of France
These data show that male French-Turks accept the idea of having relationships with French women but marry Turkish women.
Who are the French-Turks? Article 3: social and identity issues
The French side is part of the EU; the Dutch part not.
Dutch-French controversy
"We are behind French players at Newcastle United, such as Moussa Sissoko, and wanted to give them and the French community in Tyneside something to talk about," said Emma-Claude, who is half French.
The great French bake-off
The new school building also includes an investment by the French Government.
New building for French School
French Ambassador to the Philippines Gilles Garachon says the embassy is discussing with the Department of Education the possible expansion of the French language program in public high schools.
More students to learn the language of romance
By Noimot Olayiwola/Staff Reporter Six Doha residents yesterday became French citizens after receiving their nationality documents from the French ambassador to Qatar Jean-Christophe Peaucelle at a brief ceremony held at his residence in Dafna.
Proud moment for new French citizens
PARIS, December 20, 2011 (A.A) - Turkish lawmakers had a meeting with French president's adviser in Paris on Tuesday.
Turkish lawmakers meet French president's adviser
An event dedicated to French culture and honoring the national holiday of France - Bastille Day on July 14 will be held in Bishkek on July 16.
Bishkek to host event dedicated to French culture