ba dum tish
Drummer's comedic flourish
Ba dum tish is an imitation of a drummer's rimshot—the quick beat-beat-cymbal that punctuates a joke's punchline.
It's written out to signal that something was intended as a joke, often a groan-worthy pun: I used to be a banker, but I lost interest. Ba dum tish.
The spelling varies: ba-dum-tss, badum tish, etc.
Device for catching prey
- cymbalStruck metal percussion disc
- hi-hatPedal-controlled cymbal pair
- percussionSound through impact
- drummerOne who keeps rhythm
punchline · timing · comedic · stinger · payoff · flourish · accent · crash
Humor's final delivery
- jokeHumorous statement seeking laughter
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- one-linerBrief standalone joke
- zingerPointed witty remark
slapstick · stand-up · comedian · shtick · improv · heckler · setup · delivery
Wordplay using double meanings
- double entendrePhrase with hidden lewdness
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- groan-worthyMeriting pained reaction
- cheesyCheap and insincere
corny · dad joke · obvious · eye-roll · facepalm · cringe · telegraphed · predictable
snare
Device for catching prey
- cymbalStruck metal percussion disc
- hi-hatPedal-controlled cymbal pair
- percussionSound through impact
drummer · punchline · timing · comedic · stinger · payoff · flourish · accent · crash · hit
punchline
Humor's final delivery
zinger · slapstick · stand-up · comedian · shtick · improv · heckler · setup · delivery · timing
pun
Wordplay using double meanings
- double entendrePhrase with hidden lewdness
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- groan-worthyMeriting pained reaction
cheesy · corny · dad joke · obvious · eye-roll · facepalm · cringe · telegraphed · predictable · groaner
ba dum tishcrickets
Jumping insects that chirp
dead silence · booing · tough crowd · awkward silence · slow clap
ba dum tishmoment of silence
Brief silent tribute
taps · funeral march · sad trombone · somber · solemn