- French letter
- a contraceptive sheath worn by a maleThe term may come from their being packed in small envelopes, coupled with the supposed Gallic penchant for frequent copulation.I think any derivation from letting, or preventing, as in the phrase let or hindrance, is unlikely:... keep in their bags not even small change, only a powder-puff, a lipstick, a mirror, perhaps some French letters. (G. Greene, 1932)Also as FL, Frenchie, or French tickler:Preyed on his mind, all those FLs did. (Sharpe, 1974)You can't feel a thing with a Frenchie. (Sharpe, 1976)... you were screwing matron with a French tickler. (Sharpe, 1982)
How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. R. W. Holder. 2014.