contretemps UK /ˈkɒn.tɹə.tɑ̃ŋ/US /ˈkɑːn.tɹə.tɑ̃/ noun2 •An unforeseen, inopportune, or embarrassing event."I see that you are a born American citizen--and an earlier knowledge of that fact would have prevented this little contretemps. You are aware, Mr. Hoffman, that your name is German?" — 1896 •An ill-timed pass.