Why do people cuss and then say pardon my French? Cursing in English is not French...it's English

Question

I'm from the United States of America.

If you've never heard of the expression before just star the question instead of giving a useless answer.

Answer 1

I have never heard that in my life, where are you from?

Answer 2

i HATEEEEEEEEEEE when people do that...

like if ur gonna cuss, just do it

mainly adults do it around teens, im like im a teen not a 5 year old

and yea its not french...

its the dumbest thing..

Answer 3

it's meant as a metaphor.

the french had a reputation throughout europe of being crude and ill mannered.

when someone says "pardon my french" what they mean is "excuse me for being as crude as the french" before they swear..  

Answer 4

We French like to swear.  Merde.

Answer 5

because the french are known to supposedly curse and speak nastily to eachother and their rivals. especially back in war days.

Answer 6

haha. i never got that either!