deadpans
Jokes without expression
Deadpans is the verb form of deadpan, meaning to deliver something—usually humor—with a completely expressionless face and flat tone: She deadpans the punchline so perfectly that half the audience doesn't realize it's a joke.
The effect relies on contrast between absurd content and emotionless delivery.
Free from moisture
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
- flatLacking vertical variation
- monotoneSingle unvarying pitch
- straight-facedWithout visible emotion
matter-of-fact · toneless · unflinching · unblinking · laconic · subtle · restrained · measured
Irony used to mock
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- witClever, inventive humor
- satireMockery exposing vice
- drolleryWhimsical, understated humor
quip · one-liner · zinger · punchline · banter · jest · comeback · wisecrack
Daria · Ron Swanson · Ellen DeGeneres · Jack Benny · Norm Macdonald · Kristen Wiig · Ricky Gervais · Tina Fey
Funny performer or publication
- hilariousExtremely amusing
- absurdWildly illogical
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
subversive · unexpected · anticlimactic · unsettling · jarring · disarming · confusing · provocative
dry
Free from moisture
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
- flatLacking vertical variation
- monotoneSingle unvarying pitch
straight-faced · matter-of-fact · toneless · unflinching · unblinking · laconic · subtle · restrained · measured · controlled
sarcasm
Irony used to mock
drollery · quip · one-liner · zinger · punchline · banter · jest · comeback · wisecrack · snark
Buster Keaton
Bob Newhart · Daria · Ron Swanson · Ellen DeGeneres · Jack Benny · Norm Macdonald · Kristen Wiig · Ricky Gervais · Tina Fey
comic
Funny performer or publication
uncomfortable · subversive · unexpected · anticlimactic · unsettling · jarring · disarming · confusing · provocative · surprising
- deadpan humorComedy without visible emotion
- deadpan jokesHumor delivered expressionlessly
- deadpan comedyHumor delivered expressionlessly
- deadpan deliveryEmotionless comedic performance style
- deadpan comicExpressionless humor performer