spit take

or spit-take

[ spit-teyk ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spit take¹

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

You may well find yourself doing a spit take while wondering if you should be laughing.

From Washington Blade

Lines that should cause us to do a spit-take they are so blessedly insane, but instead actually almost move us to tears.

From The Daily Beast