Instead, the “au” in faux makes an “oh” sound and the “x” is silent. Based on the spelling, you might think that it sounds like “fox pass,” but that is not the case. Since the term is French in origin, its spelling and pronunciation differ from most English words. Similarly, you might accidentally buy a faux diamond ring instead of a real one! However, once you add “pas” to it, the meaning changes drastically. It’s also important to note that faux is used on its own in English as a replacement for “fake.” For example, if you buy a faux fur coat, it means that the coat is not made with real animal fur. If someone made a mistake while dancing, people would likely notice and the person would be very embarrassed about it. Hundreds of years ago, kings and queens would often hold social gatherings in which dancing was involved. Now that you know what the phrase really means, the original French definitions start to make sense. In other words, a faux pas is like a slight, but noticeable social mistake. The term can actually be applied in a wide range of social situations, not just dancing! So, here’s what the term really means:Īn embarrassing or thoughtless action or statement made in a social setting. So, what is a faux pas? Does it just mean a “false dance step?” However, this still leaves us without a precise definition. In French, faux means “false,” while pas means “dance step.” The word has been around for hundreds of years (if not longer) and has been in use in English since the 17th century. Īs previously mentioned, faux pas is a French word that people frequently use in English. So, what does the term mean? How can you use it in a sentence? And finally, does it have any synonyms in English? We will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s define the term:Ĭlick below to listen to a recording of this passage.

Alternatively, English uses the term faux pas, even though it is French in origin.

For example, French uses the word “sandwich” all the time (with a slightly different pronunciation), even though the word originated in England in the 18th century. Įnglish borrows a lot of terms from other languages, just as other languages borrow many terms from English. Click below to listen to a recording of this passage about faux pas.

Inadvertent legal faux pas