DEADPAN Meaning and
Definition
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Deadpan is an adjective that describes a specific style of acting or delivery in which a person remains expressionless and emotionless while delivering jokes, sarcastic remarks, or witty remarks. It is characterized by a lack of visible reaction, maintaining a straight face, and delivering the lines in a deadpan manner, devoid of any emotional or comedic cues.
This term can also extend to other forms of communication, such as storytelling or narration, where the speaker purposely maintains a bland and unemotional tone. The deadpan style is often associated with dry humor, irony, and satire. It creates a contrast between the content or message being delivered and the lack of emotional cues, which adds an element of surprise and amusement to the audience.
Deadpan humor is often characterized by the use of irony, sarcasm, or absurdity, delivered with a straight face and devoid of any visible indication of amusement. It relies on the audience's interpretation and understanding of the irony or humor implicit in the words or situations presented.
In popular culture, deadpan humor has been associated with comedians and actors known for their ability to deliver lines with little to no emotive display, offering a unique and distinctive form of comedy.
Common Misspellings for DEADPAN
Etymology of DEADPAN
The word "deadpan" has its roots in the world of comedy and theater. The term is believed to have emerged in the late 19th or early 20th century in the United States.
The word "dead" in "deadpan" refers to a lack of emotion or expression, as if someone were "dead" in their face. It signifies a straight-faced, serious, and impassive demeanor.
The origin of "deadpan" is not entirely clear, but it is said to have first been used in vaudeville, a popular form of entertainment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Vaudeville performers often employed a deadpan delivery to deliver their lines, maintaining a serious or emotionless expression while delivering comedic or absurd remarks. This style of comedy became associated with deadpan humor, and the term "deadpan" eventually came to describe this particular delivery.
Similar spelling words for DEADPAN
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