γαλλικό!

[Theseus]

There is a website of slang Greek in which it is claimed that γαλλικό! is a Greek exclamation to mean ‘pardon my French!’, as με το συμπάθειο is commonly used in such contexts to apologise for foul language. I cannot verify this, so I am asking for comments as to whether this is true or not. I have come across variants like συγγνώμη για τα γαλλικά μου, which sounds like a direct translation of the English idiom or <<με συγχωρείτε για τη γλώσσα μου» but it seems to me that με το συμπάθειο is by far and away the commonest.

 

[cougr]

There is a website of slang Greek in which it is claimed that γαλλικό! is a Greek exclamation to mean ‘pardon my French!’

I've never come across it being used like this, although γαλλικά in slang does refer to swear words.

Theseus: I have come across variants like συγγνώμη για τα γαλλικά μου, which sounds like a direct translation of the English idiom *

Correct, it derives from English. Although it's not a standard, native Greek idiom it's widely understood.

Theseus: or <<με συγχωρείτε για τη γλώσσα μου» but it seems to me that με το συμπάθειο is by far and away the commonest...

Perhaps you're right. Με το συμπάθιο (also spelt συμπάθειο) - which translates as "pardon me" or "with respect" is quite commonly used in these situations. Συγγνώμη για την έκφραση is another common expression - typically used as a forewarning prior to saying something unsavoury.

As for γαλλικό, as a stand-alone phrase it commonly refers to filtered coffee, or to a French style manicure.

You'll also come across it in expressions such as γαλλικό ντους, γαλλικό φιλί and γαλλικό κλειδί (adjustable spanner).

*For some reason the reply function, which displays quotes from another post, in a box, wasn't working properly.