phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Origin of term 'french letter'?

Posted by Jame Briggs on May 02, 2000

In Reply to: Origin of term 'french letter'? posted by corinne on May 02, 2000

: I would like to know what the origin is of the word French letter (for: condom).

: The use of the term 'letter' seems quite straightforward: a condom is a bit like an envelope in that it envelopes ...

: The french have a reputation of being romantic.

: All this is speculation. I found one place on the Net where it says it dates back to 1856. No more.

: Corine

The first contaceptive devices of this type were developed in France. They were made of animal organs - possibly intestine and were later imported into Britain They became known there by their present name. All of this in the early 1800s, I think.

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.