ba dum tss
Drummer's joke ending
Ba dum tss is a written representation of the classic rimshot—a snare drum hit followed by a cymbal crash—traditionally played after a punchline.
It signals that something was meant as a joke, often a corny one: I used to be a banker, but I lost interest. Ba dum tss.
The spelling varies: *ba dum tish*, *badumtss*, *badum tss*.
- rimshotPercussive joke closer
- drum rollSustained percussive buildup
- snare drumTensioned wire percussion cylinder
- groanerJoke inducing sighs
- bad punGroan-worthy wordplay
knock knock · cymbal · drum · percussion · zinger · one-liner · slapstick · comedy · punchline · stand-up comedy · open mic night · comedy club · pun · joke · setup · sting · comic timing · jest
- laughterlaugh, giggling, chuckling, laughing, snickering
audience response type
ba dum tsscrickets
Jumping insects that chirp
awkward silence · boo · booing · dead silence · tumbleweeds
comedic success
ba dum tsscrickets
Jumping insects that chirp
dead air · awkward silence · womp womp · sad trombone · bomb