Freudian slip

Named after Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud (1856–1939).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌfɹɔɪdɪ.ən ˈslɪp/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌfɹɔɪdi.ən ˈslɪp/
• Rhymes: -ɪp

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Freudian slip (plural Freudian slips)

1. (psychology) A mistake in speech or action in which a person supposedly shows their true subconscious desires.

   Synonym: parapraxis

   • 1936, John G. Jenkins, “The Anatomy of Personality”, in Psychological Bulletin‎, volume 33, number 8, →DOI, →ISSN, pages 667–669:

     After disposing of these general topics in a chapter entitled "The Manners of All Men" (but which, by some Freudian slip, we suppose, deals chiefly with 'The Impure Man')

   • 1938, Dennis Redmond, transl., The Work of Art in the Epoch of its Technical Reproducibility‎, translation of original by Walter Benjamin, archived from the original on 5 March 2016:

     Film has in fact enriched our world of perception, with methods which could be illustrated by Freudian theory. A Freudian slip in conversation would occur fifty years ago more or less unnoticed.

   • 1989 April 11, Barbara Hooks, “Comedy finds balance that avoids prejudice”, in The Age, page 14:

     I always felt I was doing a bit of bluffing. I wondered the same when he referred to some of, his ideas being "away with the pixies", Freudian slip or did he intend […]

   • 1989 November 29, Robert Bianco, “Memo by WPXI staffers alleges offensive remark by news director”, in The Pittsburgh Press, page D12:

     After reviewing a tape of a newscast done by our candidate, in my enthusiasm I made my Freudian slip

   • 1993, Ruth M. Sprague, Wild Justice‎:

     In response to several other questions posed by the panel, Ann Biggot proclaimed that she had no fear of reprisal for her testimony, but every so often a Freudian slip would break out from her careful answers.

   • 2015 April 28, Martin Shovel, quoting Joe Biden, “I'm sorry, I'll say that again – the rhetorical trick of metanoia”, in The Guardian‎, →ISSN:

     You know, folks, that’s the America that George Bush has left us. And that’s the America we’ll continue to get if George – excuse me, if John McCain is elected president of the United States of America. Freudian slip. Freudian slip.