physical gag
Comedy through movement
A physical gag is a comedy bit that relies on bodily action rather than words—pratfalls, slapstick, exaggerated facial expressions, or sight gags.
The term distinguishes this from verbal jokes or witty dialogue: The film's physical gags owe everything to Buster Keaton.
Physical gags are the foundation of silent film comedy and remain central to farce and children's entertainment.
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- pratfallComedic fall on buttocks
- tumbleUncontrolled rolling descent
- fall downDrop to the ground
- pieCrust-enclosed baked dish
face · splat · banana · banana peel · peel · slip · bonk · thwack · comedic · timing · reaction · double-take · spit take · mugging · clown · rubber chicken · custard · bucket
physical gagwordplay
Verbal wit techniques
pun · witty remark · one-liner · verbal wit · quip
physical gagintellectual humor
Comedy requiring background knowledge
dry wit · drawing room comedy · comedy of manners · observational comedy · political satire
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