slapstick

American  

[slap-stik] / ˈslæpˌstɪk /

noun

1. broad comedy characterized by boisterous action, as the throwing of pies in actors' faces, mugging, and obvious farcical situations and jokes.

2. 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.

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adjective

1. using, or marked by the use of, broad farce and horseplay.

   a slapstick motion picture.

slapstick British  

/ ˈslæpˌstɪk /

noun

1. 1. comedy characterized by horseplay and physical action

   2. ( as modifier )

      slapstick humour

2. 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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Etymology

Origin of slapstick

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

Example Sentences

The writing is terrifically funny and also grounded, anecdotes filled with slapstick but no punchlines, befitting a story that includes hookups, weddings, children, a funeral and an unknowable future.

From Los Angeles Times

Not against a demoralised Brendan Rodgers Celtic or a slapstick Wilfried Nancy Celtic, but a Celtic coached by a living Celtic saint.

From BBC

Russian humor, meanwhile, “is slapstick, only you actually die.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Park stages Man-su’s homicide attempts as slapstick set pieces in which our clumsy antihero himself barely gets out alive.

From Los Angeles Times

Grinches, by contrast, are more likely to be working actors like Darnell, who look reverently to Carrey’s performance as a blueprint for the character’s slapstick antics and snarky reads.

From Los Angeles Times