Deadpanning: meaning, definitions and examples
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deadpanning
[ ˈdɛdˌpænɪŋ ]
style of humor
Deadpanning refers to a mode of comedic delivery in which a person presents a joke or humorous statement without any visible emotion or change in facial expression. This style often relies on the contrast between the serious demeanor of the speaker and the absurdity of the content being presented. It is commonly used in stand-up comedy, television, and film, creating a distinctive form of humor that can be both surprising and engaging. The effectiveness of deadpanning lies in its ability to catch the audience off guard by juxtaposing serious delivery with a funny premise.
Synonyms
impassive, matter-of-fact, stoic.
Examples of usage
- The comedian excelled at deadpanning his jokes.
- She delivered her absurd statement completely deadpan.
- He is known for his deadpan style on the show.
- Her deadpan expression made the joke even funnier.
Translations
Translations of the word "deadpanning" in other languages:
🇵🇹 expressão facial neutra
🇮🇳 मुस्कान के बिना बातें करना
🇩🇪 totale Mimiklosigkeit
🇮🇩 bercanda dengan ekspresi datar
🇺🇦 мертва панна
🇵🇱 martwy wyraz twarzy
🇯🇵 無表情で話すこと
🇫🇷 sans expression
🇪🇸 hablar sin expresión
🇹🇷 ifadesiz konuşma
🇰🇷 무표정하게 말하기
🇸🇦 التحدث بدون تعبير
🇨🇿 mlčení s neutrálním výrazem
🇸🇰 mlčanie s neutrálnym výrazom
🇨🇳 无表情地说话
🇸🇮 govoriti brez izraza
🇮🇸 tala án tjáningar
🇰🇿 бет-әлпетсіз сөйлесу
🇬🇪 უზრუნველყოფილი სახის გამომეტყველება
🇦🇿 ifadəsiz danışmaq
🇲🇽 hablar sin expresión
Etymology
The term 'deadpan' originated from a combination of 'dead', indicating a lack of expression or emotion, and 'pan', a shortened form of 'panorama', referring to a broad view. The use of deadpan in humor can be traced back to the early 20th century, particularly in the realms of vaudeville and silent films, where performers used understated delivery to enhance comedic impact. It became popular in the mid-20th century with comedic actors such as Buster Keaton and later, in the 1970s and 1980s, with shows like 'Saturday Night Live' that employed deadpan delivery as a hallmark of their sketches. The style has seen a resurgence in modern comedy, becoming a defining characteristic for various comedians and actors who skillfully utilize this approach to create humor in both film and television. The juxtaposition of a serious expression with ludicrous content creates an engaging tension that audiences consistently appreciate.