gaffe
noun
Gaffe — a public, often quoted blunder that reveals careless judgment
Definition
A socially awkward or tactless act
In depth
A gaffe is a socially awkward or tactless act, particularly a public verbal misstep, often committed by a politician, public figure, or anyone speaking in a setting where their words carry weight and scrutiny. The word implies the error is significant enough to be noted, repeated, and potentially damaging to reputation.
Origin
The word comes from French gaffe, a boat hook, used figuratively in French slang to describe a clumsy blunder, possibly drawing on the image of an awkward, ungainly motion with the hooked tool. Its adoption into English, particularly within political journalism, reflects the genre's particular fascination with public figures' unscripted, revealing missteps.
Usage examples
"The candidate's gaffe dominated news coverage for nearly a week, overshadowing every other aspect of the campaign."
"Reporters are always alert for a potential gaffe during unscripted moments of any public appearance."
"His career survived the gaffe, though it remained, for years afterward, a frequently referenced embarrassment."
How to use it
Gaffe is common, accessible vocabulary particularly prominent in political and media journalism, useful for describing public verbal missteps that carry reputational consequence, more specifically focused on speech than the broader 'faux pas.'
Related concepts
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