Slapstick Humor Definition

Slapstick is a simple type of comedy in which the actors behave in a rough and foolish way.

Slapstick humor definition. 1 mass noun comedy based on deliberately clumsy actions and humorously embarrassing events. The term arises from a device developed for use in the broad physical comedy style known as commedia dell arte in 16th century italy. That s where the modern name for this comedic form came from. 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. A pair of laths that produce a loud noise without causing injury. The slapstick was a two piece paddle that actors would use to accentuate the impact of a hit often on another actor s backside. Comedy characterized by horseplay and physical action.

The slapstick comic more than a mere funnyman or buffoon must often be an acrobat a stunt performer and something of a magician a master of uninhibited action and perfect timing. 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. A paddle designed to produce a loud whacking sound formerly used by performers in farces. Comedy stressing farce and horseplay also. An example of slapstick is comedy performed by the television characters called the three stooges where people get poked in the eye or pies in the face. Slapstick may involve both intentional violence and violence by mishap often resulting from inept use of props such as saws and ladders. As modifier slapstick humour.

Slapstick a type of physical comedy characterized by broad humour absurd situations and vigorous usually violent action. Broad comedy characterized by violently boisterous action. A boisterous form of comedy marked by sight gags and absurd or violent mishaps or pranks such as slipping on a banana peel. When the two boards hit they produced a slapping sound. A stick or lath used by comic performers or characters for striking other persons esp. Noun slapstick is a kind of comedy based on practical jokes collisions clumsiness and embarrassing events.