shtick

Also schtick,
Or shtik

[shtik]

noun

Slang.

1. (especially in comic acting) a routine or piece of business inserted to gain a laugh or draw attention to oneself.

2. one's special interest, talent, etc.

shtick

/ ʃtɪk /

noun

1. slang,  a comedian's routine; act; piece

Word History and Origins

Origin of shtick¹

First recorded in 1955–60; from Yiddish shtik “pranks, whims,” literally, “piece,” from Middle High German stücke, Old High German stucki ( German Stück ); stucco

Word History and Origins

Origin of shtick¹

C20: from Yiddish shtik piece, from Middle High German stücke

Example Sentences

While no financial records are publicly available for Whatever and Atlas did not respond to Salon’s requests for an interview, he’s clearly making a mint from this repetitious shtick.

Read more on Salon

“How does Mike find himself within his love of Neil? It took me a second to find him and lose my shtick, because I’m a performer too.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Dying to fight the regime, he has booby-trapped his house against expected attackers, and Mr. Cera’s patented boy-man shtick proves useful when he deploys a kid’s water gun in a deadly way.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For once, I will say: Don’t drop the strongman shtick.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the sharpest satire of all may be Lola herself who — spoiler! — falls for her own shtick in the end.

Read more on Los Angeles Times