Slapstick
(noun)
A type of physical comedy involving exaggerated violence and clumsy actions.
Origin:
The word slapstick comes from the italian word battacchio, meaning a stick or bat used by commedia dell'arte performers to make a loud noise for comedic effect.
Examples:
- The slapstick comedy routine involving a pie in the face is a classic example of this type of humor.
- The clown's antics, including his use of a large rubber chicken as a prop, were typical of slapstick comedy.
- The movie was a slapstick comedy about a bumbling detective trying to solve a crime.
- The old silent films were famous for their slapstick humor.
- The slapstick scenes in the play had the audience in stitches.