contretemps : M-W's Word of the Day

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The Word of the Day for January 8 is:

contretemps \KAHN-truh-tahng (the "ng" is not actually pronounced, but the preceding vowel is pronounced nasally)\ noun
*1 : an inopportune or embarrassing occurrence or situation
2 : dispute, argument

Example sentence:
Jacqueline found herself in the middle of an embarrassing contretemps when her client suddenly changed his story and, ignoring her advice, spoke to reporters.

Did you know?
In the 1600s, "contretemps," which we borrowed from the French, referred to a thrust or pass made at the wrong time or at an inopportune moment in fencing. In the 1700s, dancers began using the word for steps danced on unaccented beats. Both of those meanings are in keeping with the French roots
"contre-" (meaning "counter") and "temps" (meaning "time"), which underlie the modern English term. "Contretemps" was being used in English to refer to any embarrassing or unexpected mishap -- something out of step or rhythm with social conventions -- as long ago as 1769. The "dispute" or "argument" sense came about in the mid-20th century.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

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