"blunder," 1909, perhaps from French gaffe "clumsy remark," originally "boat hook," from Middle French gaffe (15c.), from Old Provençal gafar "to seize," probably from a Germanic source, from Proto-Germanic *gaf-, which is perhaps from PIE *kap- "to grasp, catch" (see capable). Sense connection between the hook and the blunder is obscure; the gaff was used to land big fish. Or the Modern English word might derive from British slang verb gaff "to cheat, trick" (1893); or gaff "criticism" (1896), from Scottish dialect sense of "loud, rude talk" (see gaff (n.2)).
实用例句
1. I had no idea of the gaffe which I was committing.
我不清楚我犯了什么错误.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. He didn't realize what a gaffe he'd made.
他没意识到自己已出乖露丑.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. Wuduo stuck out her tongue in dismay at her gaffe.
五多把舌伸伸,表示口不关风说错了话.
来自汉英文学 - 中国现代小说
4. He made an embarrassing gaffe at the convention last weekend.
他在上周末的会议上出了洋相，狼狈不堪。
来自辞典例句
5. He would have to make amends for his monumental gaffe of earlier today.
