FREUD IS WEARING A SLIP? 🙂 What is it called when you say one thing and mean an

FREUD IS WEARING A SLIP? 🙂

What is it called when you say one thing and mean another?

1) A slip of the tongue (parapraxis) where a word is accidentally replaced by another. In a nervous setting, a slip of the tongue can be called a Freudian Slip.

2) It can also be innuendo, whereby ones says something which is apparently innocent but means something else, usually of a sexual nature.

3) It can be metaphor, where a difficult idea is expressed in simple or picturesque terms eg “It’s raining cats and dogs” to mean “Its raining heavily”.

4) It can be euphemism, where the word(s) used substitute for other words or ideas that are being avoided, for reasons of sensitivity, secrecy, etc.

5) It can be hyperbole, (exaggeration) where the truth is stretched for emphasis eg “I’ve told you a million times not to do that” when you mean “I’ve told you many times”

6) It can be metonym, where a simple idea is used to represent a larger concept eg the White House to represent the US presidency.

7) It can be slang. A Londoner might say “Where’s my trouble and strife” when he means “Where’s my wife”

8) It can be a malapropism where a word is accidentally replaced by a similar sounding one eg “I can say without fear of contraception..” instead of “I can say without fear of contradiction..”

9) It can be a spoonerism, where the initial letters of two words are swapped eg saying “Its roaring with pain” instead of “Its pouring with rain”

10) If it is intentional, is called deceit, lying, misleading, mendacity.

At least for this particular writer and speaker, malapropism is an almost guaranteed daily occurrence.

When talking quickly I often skip words, to confusing and sometimes humorous effect.

I am really conscious of my tendency to make freudian slips so I’m careful when I’m nervous.

I intentionally use hyperbole because it is the only access to decent humor available to me. :0

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