How to Write Freudian Slips (What Is a Freudian Slip?)

A Freudian Slip is a literary device that is used to insert comedy and reveal secrets. Before we get into how to write Freudian Slips, however, let’s start with the definition.

Freudian Slip Definition

A Freudian Slip is a type of word replacement where an innocent or “safe” word is replaced with one that has a deeper, revealing meaning. The accidental word is often related to sex but could also be related to some other hidden desire.

For example, a waiter is seating a couple at a restaurant, and the woman is wearing a low-cut and very well filled out dress. Subconsciously distracted by the view, the waiter says, “Here you go. This is our breast- best table.” Woops.

While these slips are often sexual, they do not have to be. If a man is secretly contemplating murdering his mother, for example, he might introduce her as “Smother” by accident (such as Principal Skinner in the Simpsons). Or if a person is feeling guilty or nervous about something, the slip will involve the focus of that feeling.

How to Write Freudian Slips

Writing a Freudian Slip has 7 steps. You might do some of them subconsciously, but for those trying this for the first time, I’ve broken it down.

1. Identify Who’s Going to Slip.

Freudian Slips are very closely tied to the subconscious mind, so the nature of the slip is very closely tied to the character making it. If you’re going to write one into a story you’re already working on, it’s going to be easier to pick a character first.

If you’re writing a story around the slip, you’ll want to follow these steps in reverse (reverse engineering as it were).

2. Pick a Hidden Desire / Secret to Reveal.

What is the character hiding? Do you want them to completely reveal the secret or hint at it? (For example, are names getting named, or is it a type of person or idea getting highlighted?)

3. Brainstorm Words And Phrases That Could Reveal the Secret.

English is great for synonyms, so you will almost always have multiple choices for the reveal (unless you’re naming names).

Say, for instance, a woman is distracted by a man’s naked chest. The word of the slip could be a synonym for “naked,” or it could be more focused and be a synonym or euphemism related to his chest or physique. Sometimes, the choice will seem obvious to you, and sometimes, it will be easier to have more options.

4. Write What the Character Is Trying to Say.

Pre-slip. What is he or she actually trying to get out? You may need to step out of the slip brain for a moment to get back into your usual characterization and dialogue tactics.

5. Find a Word to Replace.

Look at your synonyms and the words the character is trying to say. It works best if the original word and the mistake word…

• start with the same starting letter(s),
• have similar letters in a different order or with one removed/added,
• rhyme, and/or
• are homophones.

Because it’s very believable that someone will mess up words that sound similar (because everyone does that sometimes – let’s be honest). It’s really easy to say, “sex” instead of “success” for instance.

If you can find a word in what the character is trying to say that meets these requirements when paired with one of the synonyms, you’re good. If not, you may need to look for synonyms for words in the sentence the character is trying to say. If you can’t change one, change the other.

6. Replace the Word.

Once you find the right pairing, switch them out (Captain Obvious, right?).

7. Choose a Reaction.

The difference between a regular slip and a Freudian slip is simply what’s revealed and the person’s embarrassed/guilty reaction. And the reaction of the others involved (who could even turn something into a Freudian Slip that really wasn’t).

Regardless, to get something to read as a Freudian Slip in text, someone has to catch it. Whether…

• the character notices immediately and tries to fix it (like the waiter did above),
• someone else in the conversation calls them on it,
• the point of view character thinks about it, or
• it plays into the plot somehow later,

Someone has to notice so that the reader knows it’s a slip. Especially if the words are only one letter apart. Otherwise, it could just be a typo, and the reader will treat it as such.

Share Your Slips

I know I always mention sharing your results in the comments, but in this case, it’d be especially fun. After all, Freudian Slips are good tools for adding little moments of humor to stories, and I’d say we could all use some extra laughs right now.

In any case, I hope you have fun writing Freudian Slips! If you have any questions, let me know. 🙂