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

I must have done a spit take and spilled my coffee.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 2, 2023

A burn scalding enough to elicit its own spit take.

From Washington Post • Sep. 6, 2022

Asked if there had been a bidding war for his 1930s Wheeler Playmate — Ernest Hemingway famously owned one — Mr. Rhys laughed so hard that he did an actual spit take.

From New York Times • Oct. 4, 2021

Whether you’re grading on difficulty or execution, this spit take is nearly a perfect ten.

From Slate • Jul. 31, 2018

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