gaffe
GAF
/ɡæf/
An unintentional act or remark causing embarrassment to its originator; a social blunder.
A gaffe is specifically a social or diplomatic mistake, usually involving saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, rather than a mechanical or physical error.
The story behind the word. Borrowed from the French 'gaffe', which originally meant a 'boat hook.' The transition to meaning a social blunder is thought to come from the French slang phrase 'faire une gaffe' (to make a gaffe), which conjured the image of clumsily hooking something you didn't mean to, or making an awkward, visible reach.
Word relationships
- blunder: A blunder is a general, often serious mistake, while a gaffe is specifically an embarrassing social or diplomatic slip-up.
- solecism: Solecism is a highly formal term for a grammatical mistake or a breach of good manners, whereas gaffe is more common and conversational.
- tact: Tact is sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues, which prevents gaffes.
- diplomacy: Diplomacy is the skill of managing international relations or sensitive situations without causing offense.
Commonly confused with
- gift: A gift is a present, while a gaffe is an embarrassing mistake.
Collocations
- verbal gaffe
- social gaffe
- commit a gaffe
Example sentences
- "The prime minister's verbal gaffe was replayed constantly on the evening news, overshadowing his policy announcement." A news report on a politician's mistake.
Memory hook
'Gaffe' sounds like 'Laugh'. A social gaffe makes people laugh at your embarrassment. Gaffe = Laughable mistake.
When not to use
Do not use gaffe to describe a structural or financial failure; it must involve social embarrassment.
Fun facts
- In modern French, 'gaffe' is also used in the title of the famous comic strip character 'Gaston Lagaffe', who is known for his constant, disastrous blunders.
Explore more words
faux pas, gauche, make a mistake, inadvertent, abashed, chagrin
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