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slapstick

[slap-stik]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

broad comedy characterized by boisterous action, as the throwing of pies in actors' faces, mugging, and obvious farcical situations and jokes.
a stick or lath used by harlequins, clowns, etc., as in pantomime, for striking other performers, especially a combination of laths that make a loud, clapping noise without hurting the person struck.

adjective

using, or marked by the use of, broad farce and horseplay.
a slapstick motion picture.

slapstick

/ ˈ��æ��ˌ��ɪ�� /

noun

1. comedy characterized by horseplay and physical action
2. ( as modifier )
  slapstick humour
a flexible pair of paddles bound together at one end, formerly used in pantomime to strike a blow to a person with a loud clapping sound but without injury

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Word History and Origins

Origin of slapstick¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; slap ¹ + stick ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

She is all about physical comedy and can do all kinds of absurd slapstick.

From

Arnaz, playing a version of himself, memorably exploded into exasperation or anger before forgiving the TV Lucy’s slapstick schemes.

From

Though Feig has of late carved out his turf as a director of thrillers — his next in the genre, "The Housemaid," comes out this fall — he's still most associated with his broad slapsticks.

From

On the other hand, I love Christian's performance, which is very big and almost slapstick at times but is so perfectly controlled.

From

The narrowness of the playing area makes it difficult for the actors to do more than offer a stylized approximation of the slapstick ballet that Frayn has engineered.

From

slap shot slap-up

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