c. 1200, frensh, frenche, "pertaining to France or the French," from Old English frencisc "French," originally "of the Franks," from franca, the people name (see Frank). A similar contraction of -ish is in Dutch, Scotch, Welsh, suggesting the habit applies to the names of only the intimate neighbors.
In some provincial forms of English it could mean simply "foreign." Used in many combination-words, often dealing with food or sex: French dressing (by 1860); French toast (1630s); French letter "condom" (c. 1856, perhaps on resemblance of sheepskin and parchment), french (v.) "perform oral sex on," and French kiss (1923) all probably stem from the Anglo-Saxon equation of Gallic culture and sexual sophistication, a sense first recorded 1749 in the phrase French novel. (In late 19c.-early 20c., a French kiss was a kiss on each cheek.) French-Canadian is from 1774; french doors is by 1847. To take French leave, "depart without telling the host," is 1771, from a social custom then prevalent. However, this is said to be called in France filer à l'anglaise, literally "to take English leave."
french (v.)
"perform oral sex on," c. 1917, from French (adj.), reflecting Anglo-Saxon equation of Gallic culture and sexual sophistication. Related: Frenched; frenching.
French (n.)
from Old English frencisc (early Middle English frencisc, frenscen) "French person; the French nation," from the adjective (see French (adj.)). From c. 1300 as "the French language." Euphemistic meaning "bad language" (pardon my French) is from 1895. French Fran?ais is from Medieval Latin *francencis, from francus "a Frank" + nationality suffix -ensis "belonging to" (see -ese).
雙語例句
1. The news will come as a great relief to the French authorities.
這個消息會讓法國當局大大松一口氣。
來自柯林斯例句
2. French soldiers squared off with a gunman at a road checkpoint.
在一個公路檢查站法國士兵擺開架勢，準備迎戰一名持槍者。
來自柯林斯例句
3. The French, who led 21-3 at half time, scored eight tries.
上半場以21：3領先的法國隊有8個達陣得分。
來自柯林斯例句
4. The French government today called for an end to the violence.
如今法國政府呼吁結束暴力行為。
來自柯林斯例句
5. His trial revived memories of French suffering during the war.