This English expression is not commonly used in day-to-day conversation but can be found in many literary works.
Meaning
This expression is used in order to denote the act of departing from a situation without either asking for permission or announcing the departure. Generally the phrase is used when someone has left a dinner party or similar social occasion quietly so as not to disrupt the host and the rest of the guests.
Etymology
The first recorded use of this expression dates to the year 1771 just after the end of the Sevens Years War. It is said to have come into use due to the close relations between Britain and France at the time. The phrase derives from the fact that it was French custom to leave a dinner or ball without first having thanked the host whereas in Britain this was seen as rude and would be looked down upon.
It is also interesting to note the French equivalent of this phrase “filer à l’anglaise” which literally translates as “to escape in the style of the English.”
Example
This expression has been widely used in many famous works of literature.
One such example can be found in Edith Wharton’s 1920 novel The Age of Innocence. The first chapter of this novel contains the following; “look at him — in such hot haste to get married that he took French leave and rushed down to implore the silly girl on his knees!”
Another example can be found in Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel Treasure Island. The extract reads “but as I was certain I should not be allowed to leave the enclosure, my only plan was to take French leave and slip out when nobody was watching, and that was so bad a way of doing it as made the thing itself wrong. But I was only a boy, and I had made my mind up.”
Ne ratez pas
Should I be pleased to be described as “the laughing stock?”
publié le 4 June
Have you ever been described as "the laughing stock?" Do you want to know if this is a compliment or not? If this is the case then keep reading and th...
What does it mean if something happens at “the eleventh hour?”
publié le 2 June
The English idiom, "at the eleventh hour" is often used in conversation. It can seem rather confusing if you do not have prior knowledge of what it me...
This English expression is very commonly used, particularly in general day-to-day conversation. If you want to find out when and how to use it, read t...
This English expression is used only in informal contexts and does not, as it may appear, relate to the French language in any way whatsoever. The word “excuse” is used interchangeably with the word “pardon” in the expression.
Meaning
The phrase is generally said after someone has sworn or said something inappropriate. It is used as a way of coyly suggesting that they haven’t actually sworn and instead have said a word in French despite the fact that both parties are aware of the fact that this is not the case.
Etymology
The first record of the expression used in the same way it is now dates to the year 1936 in the novel All Trees were Green by Michael Harrison. It reads “a bloody sight better (pardon the French!) than most.”
The expression however is said to date back to the 19th century. At this time well-educated English speakers often used French words and would then apologise for having done this as many of those listening would not understand the word. An example of this usage can be found in the 1830 edition of The Lady’s Magazine which reads “bless me, how fat you are grown! – absolutely as round as a ball: – you will soon be as enbon-point (excuse my French) as your poor dear father, the major.”
There is no consensus regarding why or when exactly the meaning of the phrase changed and became linked with the act of swearing.
Example
An example of the use of this expression can be found in the 1980 film Raging Bull. In this film we find the line “please excuse my French. I’m gonna make him suffer. I’m gonna make his mother wish she never had him…”
Ne ratez pas
Should I be pleased to be described as “the laughing stock?”
publié le 4 June
Have you ever been described as "the laughing stock?" Do you want to know if this is a compliment or not? If this is the case then keep reading and th...
What does it mean if something happens at “the eleventh hour?”
publié le 2 June
The English idiom, "at the eleventh hour" is often used in conversation. It can seem rather confusing if you do not have prior knowledge of what it me...
This English expression is very commonly used, particularly in general day-to-day conversation. If you want to find out when and how to use it, read t...
This English expression is used to denote the act of getting off to a strong start. It can be used in a more literal sense in relation to starting off well in a race for example. The main use of the expression however is in a more metaphorical sense in order to denote doing well from the outset in any activity such as a job.
Etymology
It is often suggested that this expression dates back to World War II. However this assertion has been proven to be untrue and in fact the expression originated in the United States in the late 19th century. The first recorded expression is found in a short story in the newspaper The Evening News from the year 1895. The story reads “the bullet went under me. I knew he had five more cartridges, so I hit the ground running and squatted low down when his gun barked a second time.”
After this first use of the expression it quickly caught on and throughout the 20th century was commonly used. The usage quickly spread across the English speaking world and was no longer confined to the United States. However up until 1940 the expression was used only in a literal context. It is in the October edition of The Hayward Review where the first recorded use of the expression is found. It reads “it sometimes seems to me that the young idea nowadays wants to hit the ground running and to tell the old editors how to run things.”
Example
An example of the use of this expression can be found in a quote from American actor, Nicolas Cage. It reads “I hit the ground running, without a lot of training, so I had to do whatever I could do to survive as a professional, and if that meant being that character 24/7 and acting out, I was going to do that. I lived those characters, I brought them home with me.”
Ne ratez pas
Should I be pleased to be described as “the laughing stock?”
publié le 4 June
Have you ever been described as "the laughing stock?" Do you want to know if this is a compliment or not? If this is the case then keep reading and th...
What does it mean if something happens at “the eleventh hour?”
publié le 2 June
The English idiom, "at the eleventh hour" is often used in conversation. It can seem rather confusing if you do not have prior knowledge of what it me...
This English expression is very commonly used, particularly in general day-to-day conversation. If you want to find out when and how to use it, read t...
This is an English expression which is used metaphorically and principally in informal situations. It does not necessarily have to relate to bacon, or even to food, and in general it is used less literally.
Meaning
The expression is used to denote the earning of money. Generally it is used to the act of being successful, particularly in a financial sense and thus being able to provide for a family.
Etymology
There is no consensus on the origins of this expression although it is often argued that it dates approximately to the year 1395 in a work by Geoffrey Chaucer. In his The Wife of Bath’s Tale and Prologue he alludes to the expression through the phrase “but never for us the flitch of bacon though,that some may win in Essex at Dunmow.”
Despite this early usage of a similar expression, the modern expression “to being home the bacon” only came into use in the 20th century and was coined in the United States. This first usage can be found in The Post-Standard from September 1906 which reads “Before the fight Gans received a telegram from his mother: “Joe, the eyes of the world are on you. Everybody says you ought to win. Peter Jackson will tell me the news and you bring home the bacon.”
Example
An example of this expression can be found in a quote from the American comedian, Stephen Colbert. He is quoted to have said “If women are breadwinners and men bring home the bacon, why do people complain about having no dough? I’m confused. Also hungry.”
Ne ratez pas
Should I be pleased to be described as “the laughing stock?”
publié le 4 June
Have you ever been described as "the laughing stock?" Do you want to know if this is a compliment or not? If this is the case then keep reading and th...
What does it mean if something happens at “the eleventh hour?”
publié le 2 June
The English idiom, "at the eleventh hour" is often used in conversation. It can seem rather confusing if you do not have prior knowledge of what it me...
This English expression is very commonly used, particularly in general day-to-day conversation. If you want to find out when and how to use it, read t...
