slapstick

slap·stick

noun \ˈslap-ˌstik\

Definition of SLAPSTICK

1

: a device made of two flat pieces of wood fastened at one end so as to make a loud noise when used by an actor to strike a person

2

: comedy stressing farce and horseplay; also : activity resembling slapstick

— slapstick adjective

— slap·sticky \-ˌsti-kē\ adjective

Examples of SLAPSTICK

1. <an actor whose roles range from slapstick to serious drama>
2. <a lowbrow comedy that relies heavily on slapstick for its laughs>

First Known Use of SLAPSTICK

1896

Related to SLAPSTICK

Synonyms

farce, humor, comedy

Related Words

high comedy, low comedy; burlesque, parody, satire; improv, stand-up; banter, drollery, persiflage, wit; foolery, fun, horseplay, knockabout, monkeyshine(s), shenanigan(s)

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

Rhymes with SLAPSTICK

airsick, big stick, bluetick, bootlick, boychick, brainsick, broomstick, carsick, Chadwick, chick flick, chopstick, cowlick, crabstick, dabchick, deer tick, detick, dik-dik, dipstick, dog tick, drop-kick, drumstick, ear pick, firebrick, fish stick, flagstick, Fosdick, free kick, frog kick, goal kick, goldbrick, greensick, handpick, hat trick, hayrick, heartsick, homesick, ice pick, joss stick, joystick, lipstick, lovesick, matchstick, muzhik, nightstick, nitpick, nonstick, nutpick, odd trick, oil slick, Old Nick, outslick, peacenik, pigstick, pinprick, placekick, Prestwick, quick kick, redbrick, Renwick, rubric, salt lick, seasick, self-stick, shashlik, sidekick, squib kick, Tajik, toothpick, topkick, unpick, unstick, uptick, wood tick, yardstick

slapstick

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Comedy characterized by broad humour, absurd situations, and vigorous, often violent action. It took its name from a paddlelike device, probably introduced by 16th-century commedia dell'arte troupes, that produced a resounding whack when one comic actor used it to strike another. Slapstick comedy became popular in 19th-century music halls and vaudeville theatres and was carried into the 20th century by silent-movie comedians such as Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Mack Sennett's Keystone Kops and later by Laurel and Hardy, the Marx Brothers, and the Three Stooges.