The phrase “Pardon my French” is used far to many times, and often completely inappropriately. Now, I sincerely hope that you, reader, are aware that the French language is made up of much more than curse words, and crude language. Every language is made up of words, G to R rated, but, for some reason unbeknownst to me, we tend to pin the bad ones we utter on the French language. It, however, is most definitely not the French language to which we should point, but, rather our own. We’re speaking English (I’ve never heard someone cursing in another language say, “Pardon my French,” but that doesn’t mean they don’t, I’m merely not aware of it, so can’t and won't speak to it myself here).
"Fuck, shit, damn, etc. *insert crude sentence.* Pardon my French.” WHAT THE FUCK?! Oh, excuse me, pardon my French. This constant use of this phrase following “bad words” or offensive sentences paints the French language as nothing more than just that, “bad words” and offensive language to those who don’t know any better. But, firstly, as I previously stated, every language is composed of “good,” “bad,” and “neutral" words. There is no need to blame another language for our inappropriate use of our own. I have found that cursing is often a reflex, and the utterance of the phrase “pardon my french” “pardons" the use of a curse word in a possibly inappropriate or inopportune time. Then, everything’s okay, you’ve acknowledged that you used a “bad word," and have been pardoned for it under the grounds that it was French, not English, so, yeah, haha, it’s all good in the hood.
And, secondly, not all curse words are French. They come from all over. It all depends on the culture one is raised in to determine the crude language one will inevitably be exposed to, learn, adapt as one's own, and then blame on the French. This makes little to no sense. Those are not French words, damnit! All of Trump’s crude comments, yeah, that’s English, not French. Wake up America! Kidding, not kidding.
Now, I’m definitely not saying that cursing is bad, or that one shouldn’t do it. I’m merely saying that people ought to stop pointing the finger at the French language when they do, for this expresses it as a dark, inappropriate, crude language, which it simply is not. The French language is beautiful. It is a lyrical collection of words that tie together and are expressed in a tapestry of tasteful intonation, warm undertones, and a melodic air…Now I’m over romanticizing it a bit, but that’s only because it’s been broken down so by the simple, yet awfully degrading phrase “pardon my French.” I’m just attempting to redeem it a bit.
So, reader, I now implore you to join me in redeeming the beauty of the French language by introducing people to how truly inappropriate it is to say, “Pardon my French.” Take responsibility for the inappropriate slips of tongue you may have, and I’m sure you’ll be more respected for it. Using the phrase “Pardon my French" doesn’t make sense, and is simply disrespectful of the French language. Stop, just stop, and maybe together we can make the world a little greater again in the process.
