Word of the Day

faux pas

[foh pah]

noun:

an embarrassing social blunder

Explanation

A faux pas is a misstep that causes embarrassment in a social setting. The phrase comes from the French for "false step," a fitting image for errors that happen without bad intent. Fortunately, most faux pas fade from memory almost as quickly as they're made.

Example: She committed a major faux pas when she called the host by the wrong name at the dinner party.