Definition

Noun: 1. A foolish or embarrassing mistake: A blunder, especially one that causes social awkwardness or humiliation.

Examples

• He made a real boner during the presentation when he called the client by the wrong name.
• Forgetting to attach the file to the email was a classic boner.
• She realized her boner as soon as the words left her mouth.

Advanced Usage

• The term is informal and can be considered slightly old-fashioned or mild slang. It is often used to describe a social or professional gaffe rather than a serious error.
• It is typically used in the structure "to make a boner" or "to pull a boner."

Variants and Related Words

• Bonehead (noun): A stupid or foolish person. (e.g., )
• Boneheaded (adjective): Stupid or foolish. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Blunder
• Faux pas
• Gaffe
• Howler
• Slip-up

Important Note

• ⚠️ Caution: In modern, very informal slang, "boner" has a much more common meaning referring to an erection. Because of this strong secondary meaning, the "mistake" definition is now considered dated and its use can easily lead to confusion or unintended vulgarity. It is rarely used in contemporary formal or casual speech with this meaning.

Noun

1. an embarrassing mistake