I'm sorry for my french

In English

According to one version, this phrase was used in the XIX century by the British, who too often inserted French expressions into their speech, but felt uncomfortable with listeners who might not know French ^[3] . In The Lady's Magazine from 1830, the first printed mention of this expression is found ^[4] :

Oh God, how did you get fat! Round like a ball! Soon you will be the same embonpuen ^{[3] [5]} (I apologize for my French) as your poor unfortunate father, mayor.

Original text

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.

The phrase got on television and often found in numerous films, where the characters said this to mitigate the effect of curses. One of the most famous examples is the film “ Ferris Bueller takes a day off ”, where Cameron calls Mr. Rooney and utters this phrase before cursing at him ^[6] .

In Russian

This phrase is translated into Russian as “Sorry my French” , “Sorry for my French” or other similar expressions in all possible ways. The history of its use dates back to the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th centuries, when Russian nobles studied French with tutors, but did not speak French obscene language . As a result of this, when they broke down and shouted something obscene, they added the phrase “forgive my French” - a literal translation of the English phrase ^[7] .

English and French speakers use several similar phrases as euphemisms or expresses regret for inappropriate words or behavior:

• “To leave in French” ( English to take a French leave ) or “to leave in English” ( fr. Filer à l'anglaise ) - to leave without saying goodbye to the guests or the host ^[8] .
• “French letter” ( English French letter ) or “English hood” ( French capote anglaise ) is a euphemism for a condom ^{[9] [10]} .
• “French disease” ( English French disease ) or “Neapolitan disease” ( fr. Le mal de Naples ) - a euphemism for syphilis , which was prevalent in the south ^{[11] [12]} .