I'm afraid that my wife picked up a number of colorful expressions from the Yanks and such, Frank offered, with a nervous smile.True, I said, gritting my teeth as I wrapped a water-soaked napkin about my hand. Men tend to be very colorful when you're picking shrapnel out of them.
In the excerpt from "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon, the character Frank expresses a concern about his wife using various colorful expressions she might have learned from Americans, indicating her exposure to a different culture. His nervous smile suggests he is somewhat embarrassed about this aspect.
The narrator's response highlights the grim reality of their situation, emphasizing that men often use vivid language in the context of pain or injury, particularly when they are undergoing medical treatment. This moment illustrates the tension between everyday life and the harsher experiences of war, capturing both humor and a darker undertone.
