This happened yesterday during our Monday morning team meeting, and I’m still praying for the earth to swallow me whole.
We were on a Zoom call — full team, including my manager, director, and a couple of new hires. I was tired, slightly over-caffeinated, and not totally present because my cat had thrown up just before the meeting started.
Anyway, near the end of the call, my manager (who I genuinely admire and respect) asked me for a quick update on a project. I gave a short, confident summary, and as she thanked me, I meant to say, “Thanks, ma’am.”
But what came out, loud and clear, was:
“Thanks, mom.”
Silence.
Then a few chuckles.
Then full-blown laughter.
Someone unmuted just to say, “Freudian slip much?”
My manager just smiled and said, “You’re welcome, sweetie,” like a total pro, which only made it funnier.
I’ve now been renamed “Work Son” in the group chat. HR hasn’t called me, but I might preemptively quit.
TL;DR: Accidentally called my boss “mom” on a Zoom call. Entire team heard. New identity unlocked.
Comments
Pretty funny. But Meh – team will forget by next week. Doubt HR will be involved (not like you accidentally called her something rude lol) and personally would say not worth quitting over
Everybody handled it like a champ, you should be good. Just laugh it off if someone brings it up, it was just an honest mistake.
Thanks for the laugh and have a good day my friend
Milk that nepotism boy!!!!
I’m imagining balalaika from Black Lagoon and it makes this so much funnier
But you didn’t fuck up so no worries “work son” is pretty unfortunate though lmao
Now call your mum Ma’am and see which you prefer
omg.
Your boss is indeed a pro. Please don’t preemptively quit even though you might feel like it now. She could have handled this half-a-dozen different ways but she decided to go the gently humorous route. It’s all good. I wouldn’t worry a second about HR, either. If you’re really bothered, you could send her an apology via email (but DON’T cc the rest of your team😉!). Sign it “Work Son” and thank her for being a champ.
Every single working person out here has had a “please Earth, open up and swallow me right now” moment on the job. Any one that denies this is flat-out lying.
Oh God! This brought back memories of accidentally calling a teacher mom. Noooo!!
My sympathies, friend
Ehh, fuck it, own it.
The Monday after mother’s day too? Niceeeeee 👌🏽
Just don’t go around telling people you meant to say it, the would be your “fuck up.”
“What’s for dinner tonight when we get home?”
Oh dear, OP. I really did LOL with this one. Poor guy. But listen: it really was funny and your coworkers and manager sure are good sports. Please don’t consider quitting. Honestly, it’s one of those times in our work careers when we reminisce and say, “Remember when…? It’s all gonna be okay. You sound like a good and earnest employee. Keep up the good work.
I once started a work email to a significant amount of people with hell instead of hello. I think we all have our moments.
On an out of work trip, with 4 construction workers in the truck, and the boss on speakerphone, my buddy automatically ended a call to the boss with “Love you, bye”. He spent a lot of time talking to his kids while on the road, so it was habit.
Boss didn’t skip a beat “Love you too, brother. Bye.”
Eh zoom. No biggie.
Kinda funny I’ve got to admit. But yesterday was Thursday 🤦🏼♀️
Or Friday, seeing how it’s like 2am Saturday morning right now lol
Yesterday was Thursday
It happens! I once told a customer “Love you!” when I was ending a call. Much laughter was had hehe.