I do my best, but there isn't a week that I don't put my foot in my mouth in some form or other.

For instance the 'zany' in the text above I had to look up, and even after looking up it doesn't make much sense to me.

1) a subordinate clown or acrobat in old comedies who mimics ludicrously the tricks of the principal

2) a slavish follower

3) one who acts the buffoon to amuse others

None of the three are a preferred candidate when I do a simple substitution.