faux pas

[foh pah]

noun

plural

faux pas 

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

Along with photo-snappers, “Wicked” screenings came with another major theater etiquette faux pas: belting for the back row.

Read more on Salon

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.

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

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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.

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

Read more on Science Daily