Slapstick: meaning, definitions and examples

This is best used to describe exaggerated physical actions meant to cause laughter, often clumsy or absurd. It is typically found in older films or cartoons.

• The character slipped on a banana peel and fell into a pie, classic slapstick humor

This describes any type of humor derived from physical actions, including body movements and facial expressions. It is broader than slapstick and not necessarily extreme.

• The actor's physical comedy, with his exaggerated expressions and stumbling, had the audience in stitches

This term is used for comedy based on improbable situations, ridiculous events, and exaggerated characters. It often includes mistaken identities, deceptions, and fast-paced plot twists.

• The play turned into a farce with characters constantly disguising themselves and trying to trick each other

Similar to 'slapstick', but this term emphasizes that it’s a genre of comedy involving physical acts designed to induce laughter. It usually involves exaggerated, violent, or painful actions in a humorous context.

• The movie is full of slapstick comedy, with characters getting hit by objects and walking into walls

Used when referring to a genre of comedy that features exaggerated physical activity which exceeds the boundaries of common sense. Common in movies, theater, and TV shows.

• Charlie Chaplin was a master of slapstick comedy
• The movie is filled with slapstick humor, like people slipping on banana peels

Refers to the device used in cinematography to mark the beginning of a film scene or take. It's commonly known as the clapperboard and is used during the production process.

• The director called for quiet on the set before the clapper signaled the start of the scene
• The clapper helps synchronize the audio and video in post-production

Specifically refers to a prop used in slapstick comedy to create visual gags and physical humor, like rubber chickens, cream pies, and oversized mallets.

• The comedian used a rubber chicken as his slapstick prop for many of his jokes
• The slapstick prop in the scene was a pie that ended up all over the actor's face

This term is less common but may be used interchangeably with 'slapstick prop' to describe instruments or objects utilized in slapstick comedy to produce comedic effects.

• The slapstick tool that created the most laughs was the inflatable hammer
• They used various slapstick tools, like a fake brick, for their comedy routine