pardon my French

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
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.

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
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

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
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

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
  • 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
WHY do people say 'Pardon my French' after swearing?
Mail Box: JUST ASK... If there is a question nagging you, write to me at the address above and I will try to help. But, sorry, I cannot reply personally
Jon said a Sunday newspaper, "had a couple of pictures of her with baps out (pardon my French) quite a while back, but nothing to write home about".
MR TICKLE, THE.. World Wide Weirdo; EXCLUSIVE
L'Occitane Vitoria Regia Eau de Cologne Night, PS39; L'Occitane Vitoria Regia Eau de Cologne Day, PS30; KIKO Revitalizing Elastic Scrub, PS12.90; KIKO Crackling Leg Mousse, PS12.90; Too Faced Pardon My French Make-Up Set, PS44; New Look Bag, PS19.99; Lee Stafford My Frizz Fighter Kit, PS44.99; Nair Washable Roll-On Wax With Argan Oil, PS12.99; Rodial Stemcell Superfood Cleanser, PS32; Mandara Spa Bali Santi Firming Body Lotion, PS5; Mandara Spa Bali Santi Bath & Shower Oil, PS7; Mandara Spa Bali Santi Body Polish, PS8.
WIN! THIS BIG BAG OF GOODIES!
PARDON my French but if you don't know your poulet saute aux herbes de Provence from your pissaladire, then you probably won't have heard of Julia Child.
COOKERY KOOKERY; Rich recipe for laughs in parallel plot hotpot
Pardon my French, but in the sht-storm Manny Pacquiao created with his unthinking, unchristian depiction of LGBTs as worse than animals, it was very difficult to find common ground for discussion between those who criticized him and those who defended him.
Doubt everything
PARDON MY FRENCH: Daniel Cousin will say sorry with goals
Football: I'M SO SORRY; Exclusive CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CRUNCH... Cousin offers peace pact
I trust our soldiers buried under foreign soil would, on this occasion, pardon my French.
Sue Carroll's column: Is this how we honour those who laid down their lives?