A little brain fart

Question

What is a nicer, less immature saying?

I love using 'A Freudian slip', but that is only applicable in certain situations.

I don't think a Freudian slip is the same. I brain fart is when you forget something that you normally would know, such as someone's name. A Freudian slip is when you say the wrong thing, inadvertently revealing some subconscious thought. It is also used to refer to any accidental use of a sexual term in an inappropriate context. — asmeurer, Sep 10 '14 at 18:43
A Freudian slip is when you say one thing, but mean your mother. — SrJoven, Sep 10 '14 at 19:38
Only a moment ago I had an answer to suggest, but it seems to have escaped me. ;) — talrnu, Sep 11 '14 at 13:44
AFAIK a brain fart is not "just any lapse/oversight", a brain fart is when for some usually unknown reason you go off the rail into a direction which makes no sense at all, and which in normal conditions you totally wouldn't do. — o0'., Sep 11 '14 at 15:43
A Freudian slip is a small error in speach that reveals something the speaker is thinking and is trying to hide. It doesn't necessarily have a sexual content. — Florian F, Sep 12 '14 at 09:02
I like using "brain cramp". It is easy to remember because it rolls off the tongue like "brain fart", but not nearly so rudely. — crthompson, Sep 12 '14 at 16:18
@HelloGoodbye "A Freudian slip is when you say one thing, but mean another" - It's a nice play on words. In this case another rhymes with mother, which ties into Freuds theory Oedipal complex for which he is famed for. — myol, Sep 13 '14 at 13:55
The notion that phrases like "brain fart" are "immature" is confused. It is actually the hyper-emotional responses to such words that are immature. But if you're looking for more "professional" language, just say "Sorry, I wasn't thinking clearly". — Jim Balter, Sep 13 '14 at 20:02

score 68 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 10 '14 at 16:51

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In formal contexts, you might consider a temporary "lapse", or, more specifically, a "mental lapse".

In less formal situations, I've often used "thinko"; sometimes elderly people say they've had a "senior moment".

If you've specifically overlooked something otherwise obvious, then a short, descriptive term is a (minor) "oversight".

answered Sep 10 '14 at 16:51

Dan Bron

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Duplicated one of your offerings based on failure to read, so deleted. Links to sources would be good. – bib Sep 10 '14 at 18:07
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A momentary lapse of reason, if you're a Pink Floyd fan. – hobbs Sep 13 '14 at 02:24
I like a mental lapse and the pink floyd reference per @hobbs, im going to use both. Thanks – myol Sep 13 '14 at 09:19
perfect answers from Dan – Fattie Sep 13 '14 at 10:06
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I think 'senior moment' gets used somewhat ironically by less-than-elderly people at times, too. – PeterT Sep 13 '14 at 11:45

score 38 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 10 '14 at 16:54

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Mental hiccup is a fairly common idiom which can be used in circles where "brain fart" might raise eyebrows.

I would not, however, equate it with a "Freudian slip" which implies an inadvertent exposing of someone's subconscious/secret thoughts or desires.

answered Sep 10 '14 at 16:54

Digital Chris

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another great answer – Fattie Sep 13 '14 at 10:06

score 8 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 11 '14 at 06:01

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There is also "mental block" or "neuron misfiring" (not commonly used but I like it).

answered Sep 11 '14 at 06:01

joeytwiddle

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You get some alliterative appeal by combining these, and I've heard it used before: "mental misfire" – Izkata Sep 12 '14 at 17:10
We could also say a "miswired neuron", which sounds a little like "getting ones wires crossed", although that is a more specific situation. – joeytwiddle Feb 06 '15 at 17:26

webmarc · Answer 4 · 2014-09-11T15:18:21.250

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My favorite is from an Encyclopedia Brown book that I read 30+ years ago:

Bubbles in the Think-Tank.

I sometimes refer to others (or even myself) as suffering from cranial-rectal inversion, but I feel that implies a longer term than the momentary lapse implied of a brain fart or bubbles in the think-tank.

edited Sep 11 '14 at 15:18

answered Sep 11 '14 at 14:57

webmarc

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Despite the superficial technicality of the words, I find "cranial-rectal inversion" to be substantially more immature than "brain fart". Certainly more graphic, anyway. – WinnieNicklaus Sep 11 '14 at 16:17

score 4 · Answer 5 · answered Sep 12 '14 at 03:26

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I've used "synapse lapse" before. It is informal but more refined than a fart.

answered Sep 12 '14 at 03:26

moonstar

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I like the awkward rhyme. :) – mskfisher Sep 12 '14 at 14:27

score 2 · Answer 6 · answered Sep 11 '14 at 01:22

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Possibly more offensive than brain fart, a senior moment or a blonde moment

answered Sep 11 '14 at 01:22

mgb

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-1 OP asked for "What is a nicer, less immature saying?" not "more offensive" – Shokhet Sep 11 '14 at 05:17
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Incidentally, I don't think that "senior moment" is very offensive. – Shokhet Sep 11 '14 at 05:18
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I think it's offensive to seniors. – joeytwiddle Sep 11 '14 at 05:57
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@joeytwiddle only if they understand it. – oerkelens Sep 11 '14 at 15:02
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Whether or not it's offensive really depends on context. Judge your company and if they're offended, don't use the term again. – AJFaraday Sep 11 '14 at 15:27
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I think both these terms can only be used in a self-deprecating way. I have a blonde friend who is highly intelligent but who will claim "blonde moments" when she makes a mistake; similarly, a 60's scientist who forgets a name and blames a "senior moment" is recognizing that the typical effects of aging are affecting his brain. Don't ever use it on others - "wow you had a real blonde moment there" - unless you know them very, very well. – Floris Sep 11 '14 at 15:55
It can be mature AND offensive ! – mgb Sep 11 '14 at 22:33
Duh! I can't believe nobody thought of blonde moment! (I had a blonde moment, I guess.) Yes, BTW of course it is offensive, it's ridiculous to suggest it's not. – Fattie Sep 13 '14 at 10:07
"It can be mature AND offensive" -- Apparently a brain fart led you to offer this strawman while failing to recognize that it is not consistent with "nicer [AND] less immature". – Jim Balter Sep 13 '14 at 20:09

score 2 · Answer 7 · answered Sep 11 '14 at 05:56

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I've used "I just had a moment." and heard "Are you having a moment?" Short for senior moment I guess.

answered Sep 11 '14 at 05:56

Mazura

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Generally 'having a moment' refers to someone having a tantrum or otherwise being unsuitable for the company of others, no? – atroon Sep 11 '14 at 17:22
That would be 'having a fit' @atroon. Upon being berated for obvious incorrectness I'd say, "Sorry, I just had a moment there." – Mazura Sep 11 '14 at 17:46

score 0 · Answer 8 · edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

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A mental aberration is something I've used before. It even features in ODO's dictionary entry:

aberration

A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically an unwelcome one:
I see these activities as some kind of mental aberration

edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

Community

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answered Sep 10 '14 at 18:33

Andrew Leach

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To me, that phrase would imply something actually pathological about the workings of the brain in question. – Kyle Strand Sep 10 '14 at 18:59
This sounds slightly too extreme while also too general; it could be applied to believing a logical inconsistency. It isn't directly wrong, though. – Magus Sep 10 '14 at 19:00

score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Sep 11 '14 at 15:27

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If you're squeamish about saying fart, try the word 'mistake'.

answered Sep 11 '14 at 15:27

AJFaraday

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"What's that smell?" "Oh sorry, I just mistook." – Him_Jalpert Sep 11 '14 at 16:25
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@RyanJ I feel we must now endeavour to put that phrase into common usage. – AJFaraday Sep 12 '14 at 08:27
Those of us who mistake of mistake prefer the term "fluffy." – Howard Pautz Sep 15 '14 at 20:38

score 0 · Answer 10 · edited Sep 16 '14 at 00:00

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How about having a blind spot?

edited Sep 16 '14 at 00:00

tchrist

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answered Sep 15 '14 at 22:10

blackened

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A little brain fart

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