Freudian slip

American  

noun

1. (in Freudian psychology) an inadvertent mistake in speech or writing that is thought to reveal a person's unconscious motives, wishes, or attitudes.

---

Freudian slip British  

noun

1. any action, such as a slip of the tongue, that may reveal an unconscious thought

---

Freudian slip Cultural  

1. An error in speech that reveals repressed thoughts or feelings; for example, accidentally calling one's wife “Mom.”

---

Etymology

Origin of Freudian slip

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The stakes have intensified as the Faithfuls have dwindled, mainly due to their impressive talent for misreading the smallest twitch or Freudian slip as evidence of deceit.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2024

Media Research Center commentator Patrick Taylor asked: “Nonsensical word salad, Freudian slip, or legitimately concerning political argument?”

From Washington Times • Jul. 25, 2022

Many users replied, questioning if the mistake had been a Freudian slip by Mr Spicer.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2018

In one focus group from this period, a woman made a Freudian slip: “Especially when I’m in a hurry, I like foods that are time-consuming.”

From The Guardian • Feb. 6, 2018

I just found a cute little Freudian slip in these notes and—" "Shut up.

From Ten From Infinity by Fairman, Paul W.