Why pardon my french?

Question

I was wondering why - if you swear - it is polite to say pardon my french?

Answer 1

I never thought about it before. Probably because it kind of sounds french when you curse? Or maybe just the old age stereotype that Americans hate the french and maybe think they cuss a lot?  

Answer 2

It was supposedly coined in the 1720s by Brits who considered their neighbors to the East to be vulgar and obscene, and so they wanted to make it clear that when THEY said something "unsavory" they were just momentarily speaking as the French do and should be excused for that lapse of etiquette.

Also:

High society British people would swear in French rather than English, so they literally needed their French to be pardoned.

Maybe we should start saying things like "pardon my English, but 'tu m'emmerdes!'" to balance things out.

: )

Answer 3

Yes, or you could try "Please excuse my french" or "I'm sorry for the bad french, I'm still learning"

Answer 4

I bet France refers swearing to as english.