faux pas

[ foh pah ]

noun

, plural faux pas [foh , pahz, foh , pah].

1. a slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion.

   Synonyms: impropriety, error

faux pas

/ fo pɑ; ˌfəʊ ˈpɑː /

noun

1. a social blunder or indiscretion

Word History and Origins

Origin of faux pas¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from French: literally, “false step”

Word History and Origins

Origin of faux pas¹

C17: from French: false step

Example Sentences

The aurora faux pas comes just a couple of weeks after the real Northern Lights were once again spotted across the UK, following a similar sight back in May.

From BBC

I boil my tea, albeit briefly, still a faux pas to some.

From Salon

Harris, though, seems equipped to navigate potential food faux pas, because she harbors genuine culinary expertise, and has for years made it part of her public persona.

From Los Angeles Times

These faux pas trigger the T cells to destroy the offenders.

From Science Daily

While Madonna moved forward from her faux pas, multiple social media users were hung up on the moment.

From Los Angeles Times