spit take

American  

[spit-teyk] / ˈspɪtˌteɪk /

Or spit-take

noun

1. (in comedy) a sight gag in which an actor or comedian demonstrates surprise while drinking something by expelling a mouthful of the beverage in an exaggerated spray of liquid.

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Etymology

Origin of spit take

First recorded in 2000–05; spit ¹ ( def. ) (in the sense “to eject from the mouth” + take ( def. ) (in the sense “physical response expressing total wonderment”), on the model of double take ( def. )

Example Sentences

A burn scalding enough to elicit its own spit take.

From Washington Post • Sep. 6, 2022

If I had a glass of water at my mouth, I would have executed an unrehearsed spit take.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 23, 2020

But the highlight is Colbert’s expertly executed spit take upon hearing that the recent New Yorker article about Les Moonves—Colbert’s boss—was written by Ronan “Harvey Weinstein” Farrow.

From Slate • Jul. 31, 2018

She would get further annoyed, not because she didn’t understand the jokes but because my father would imitate Berle’s spit take, usually at Passover or some other inopportune meal.

From New York Times • Oct. 19, 2017

Spit it with the head next the point of the spit; take off the joints of the leg, and boil them with the liver, with a little whole pepper, allspice, and salt, for gravy sauce.

From The American Frugal Housewife by Child, Lydia Maria Francis