Freudian slip

This page is about the eponym Freudian slip

Meaning

a verbal mistake that may reveal a person's true beliefs, emotions or subconscious feelings

For example

  • I asked if I could take her dress instead of her coat. I guess that was a Freudian slip.

  • I asked my mom to pass the flavouring instead of the salt. Talk about a Freudian slip!

Origin: Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) was an Austrian psychologist and the founder of psychoanalysis. Freud believed that an error in speech revealed a hidden truth or motive.

Quick Quiz

When people make Freudian slips, they say

a. what they really mean

b. something that's on their mind

c. something they've forgotten
a) what they really mean b) something that's on their mind c) something they've forgotten

Contributor: Tara Benwell