A.Word.A.Day --A word from the archives

A.Word.A.Day

Home

A Random Word From the Archives

Permanent link for this word: parapraxis

Jul 23, 2008

This week's theme
Words about words and language

This week's words
grammatolatry
catachresis
parapraxis
lingua franca
orthoepy

Discuss

Feedback

RSS/XML

A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

parapraxis

PRONUNCIATION:

(par-uh-PRAK-sis)

MEANING:

noun: A slip of the tongue (or pen) that reveals the unconscious mind.

ETYMOLOGY:

Parapraxis is a fancy word for the Freudian slip. It's derived from Greek para- (beside, beyond) + praxis (act).

USAGE:

"Only one parapraxis suggested a little lingering Scottish resentment*. [Andrew Marr] pronounced Gough Square, where [Samuel] Johnson lived and wrote his dictionary, 'guff'. A good joke but not, I think, a deliberate one."
Andrew Billen; Ruling the Radio Waves; New Statesman (London, UK); Oct 1, 2007.

[*And not entirely without reason. In his famous dictionary, Johnson defined oats as:
"A grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people."]

See more usage examples of parapraxis in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

It's not the genius who is 100 years ahead of his time but average man who is 100 years behind it. -Robert Musil, novelist (1880-1942)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise