pratfall

[ prat-fawl ]

noun

1. a fall in which one lands on the buttocks, often regarded as comical or humiliating.
2. a humiliating blunder or defeat.

pratfall

/ ˈprætˌfɔːl /

noun

1. slang.
   a fall upon one's buttocks

Word History and Origins

Origin of pratfall¹

First recorded in 1935–40; prat + fall

Word History and Origins

Origin of pratfall¹

C20: from C16 prat buttocks (of unknown origin) + fall

Example Sentences

Amateur video started turning up online showing Phoenix on his hip-hop tour, doing a pratfall off the stage at one appearance.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• flop
• stumble
• wallow