Quebec French Profanity
The literal translation of the French verb sacrer is "to consecrate". However, in Quebec it is the proper word for the form of profanity used in Quebec French. The noun form is sacre.
Quebec French, the main variety of Canadian French, uses a number of the same types of foul language as in standard French, dealing with sex and excrement (such as merde, "shit"). These are usually rather mild, and stronger profanity is expressed using words and expressions related to Catholicism and its liturgy. This usage of religious words to express profanity is also present but to a lesser extent in Acadian French, mostly spoken in the Maritime provinces east of Quebec.
Read more about Quebec French Profanity: History, List of Common sacres, Use, Non-profane Uses, Sacres Outside Quebec French
Famous quotes containing the words french and/or profanity:
“Such is the nature and make-up of the French that they are only good at the start. Then they are worse than devils, but, given time, they’re less than women.”
—François Rabelais (1494–1553)
“Nothing, neither acceptance nor prohibition, will induce a child to stop swearing overnight. Teach your child respect for himself and others, that profanity can hurt, offend, and disgust, and you’ll be doing the best you can...And save your parental giggling over mispronounced curses for after the children’s bedtime.”
—Jean Callahan (20th century)