Re: Pardon My French (was Article 5)

["Lee Williams" <grizz@xxxxxxxxxx>]

It's true, but I wish I knew just where the expression came from but we
Brits still use it in general conversation. As for the origin of the word
barbarian, you beat me to it :-) I knew that...

Lee.

----- Original Message -----
From: Ann <annfranchi@hotmail.com>
To: <millenniums-end-l@firedrake.org>
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2001 12:20 AM
Subject: Re: Pardon My French (was Article 5)


> The word 'barbarian' comes from the Greek - it means 'foreigner' or
> 'non-Greek', and derives from the belief that anyone who was not speaking
> Greek was saying 'bar-bar-bar-'.
>
> Today, in a misguided effort to be 'funny', people in England (that I know
> of) say 'Pardon my French' when cussing.  I assume it has to do with the
> fact that England was invaded by the (Norman) French in days gone by.  In
> point of fact, most of the cuss-words in common use are actually based on
> and derived from Anglo-Saxon words.
>
> Pardon my unintentional insult!
>
> Ann