pratfall

noun

prat·fall ˈprat-ˌfȯl How to pronounce pratfall (audio)

: a fall on the buttocks

: a humiliating mishap or blunder

Did you know?

The human posterior has been given a number of designations over the centuries, some not acceptable in polite company. "Prat," a slang term with only slightly indecorous overtones, has been used in reference to the backside since the 16th century. It wasn't until the 1930s, however, that falling on one's prat gave rise to the term "pratfall." The word first cropped up in the lingo of comedy theater, where a pratfall is often part of a slapstick routine. It wasn't long before we gave the word its extended sense of "blunder." Now, with "prat" rarely used as a synonym of "derriere" anymore, "pratfall" is as apt to suggest getting a pie in the face as landing bang on one's behind.

Example Sentences

He slipped and took a pratfall into the mud.

Recent Examples on the Web Their scenes call for broad comedy, and both deliver, never wasting a line delivery or a pratfall to wring (or try to wring) a laugh.

Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 17 June 2022 Tae-woo’s will is so strong that, when Jacob is on a tourist outing to view the border, his grandfather tries to bang through a spirit wall and Jacob trips, landing on his face, his head crossing the border — pratfall as international incident.

Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2022 One of the secrets of slapstick, for instance, is that a pratfall is rarely painless: its effects on the body are merely delayed by the adrenal excitement of live performance.

Ed Halter, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2022 But as so often happens with Johnson, behavior lauded as appropriately serious is quickly eclipsed by some pratfall.

Christina Boyle, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2021 And after a certain point, its choices pratfall into chaos, becoming accidentally hilarious.

Helen Shaw, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2021 Lee’s one-out pratfall in Game 4 was rescued by stellar bullpen work and late home runs from Swanson and Jorge Soler.

Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2021 The 49ers offense again sputtered and Chicago got the ball back with 5:50 to play, but continued its pratfall with a second-play interception by Hicks, who returned it to midfield.

Michael Lerseth, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Sep. 2021 Congrats on taking your son to an Amazing Kreskin show and also completing a convincing pratfall!

New York Times, 19 Aug. 2021 See More

单词	pratfall
释义	pratfall noun prat·fall ˈprat-ˌfȯl 1 : a fall on the buttocks 2 : a humiliating mishap or blunder Did you know? The human posterior has been given a number of designations over the centuries, some not acceptable in polite company. "Prat," a slang term with only slightly indecorous overtones, has been used in reference to the backside since the 16th century. It wasn't until the 1930s, however, that falling on one's prat gave rise to the term "pratfall." The word first cropped up in the lingo of comedy theater, where a pratfall is often part of a slapstick routine. It wasn't long before we gave the word its extended sense of "blunder." Now, with "prat" rarely used as a synonym of "derriere" anymore, "pratfall" is as apt to suggest getting a pie in the face as landing bang on one's behind. Example Sentences He slipped and took a pratfall into the mud. Recent Examples on the Web Their scenes call for broad comedy, and both deliver, never wasting a line delivery or a pratfall to wring (or try to wring) a laugh. Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 17 June 2022 Tae-woo’s will is so strong that, when Jacob is on a tourist outing to view the border, his grandfather tries to bang through a spirit wall and Jacob trips, landing on his face, his head crossing the border — pratfall as international incident. Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2022 One of the secrets of slapstick, for instance, is that a pratfall is rarely painless: its effects on the body are merely delayed by the adrenal excitement of live performance. Ed Halter, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2022 But as so often happens with Johnson, behavior lauded as appropriately serious is quickly eclipsed by some pratfall. Christina Boyle, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2021 And after a certain point, its choices pratfall into chaos, becoming accidentally hilarious. Helen Shaw, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2021 Lee’s one-out pratfall in Game 4 was rescued by stellar bullpen work and late home runs from Swanson and Jorge Soler. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2021 The 49ers offense again sputtered and Chicago got the ball back with 5:50 to play, but continued its pratfall with a second-play interception by Hicks, who returned it to midfield. Michael Lerseth, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Sep. 2021 Congrats on taking your son to an Amazing Kreskin show and also completing a convincing pratfall! New York Times, 19 Aug. 2021 See More Word History Etymology argot prat buttocks + fall First Known Use 1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1 pratfall noun as in misstep Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance misstep stumble spill tumble slip header trip fall slide skid plunge dive free-fall descent
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pratfall

noun

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History

noun