pratfalling
Landing on rear
Pratfalling is the act of taking a pratfall—a comic fall landing squarely on the buttocks.
The term belongs to physical comedy and slapstick, where pratfalling is a deliberate skill: The comedian spent years pratfalling on stage before landing a film role.
Figuratively, it can describe public embarrassments or blunders: The campaign kept pratfalling from one gaffe to the next.
Ludicrous or silly conduct
- gagsJokes or silencing devices
- shtickPerformer's signature gimmick
- clowningPlayful comic behavior
- burlesqueExaggerated mockery or risqué variety
vaudeville · pantomime · farce · zany · harlequin · mime · jesters · fools
Minor error or misstep
- tripPlanned travel somewhere
- mishapMinor unfortunate occurrence
- stumbleLose footing momentarily
- tumbleUncontrolled rolling descent
spill · wipeout · faceplant · bellyflop · sprawl · crash · flop · splat
buffoonery
Ludicrous or silly conduct
burlesque · vaudeville · pantomime · farce · zany · harlequin · mime · jesters · fools · mummery
slip
Minor error or misstep
tumble · spill · wipeout · faceplant · bellyflop · sprawl · crash · flop · splat · undignified
stumble
Lose footing momentarily
misstep · lurch · tumble · sprawl · flounder · awkward · ungainly · clumsy · butterfingers · bungle
vaudeville
Theatrical variety entertainment
- circusTraveling entertainment with performers
- theaterVenue for live drama
- cabaretLive entertainment venue
variety · spectacle · showbiz · revue · sketch · improv · stand-up · comedian · act · routine
pratfallinggraceful
Elegant in movement
gliding · pirouetting · poised · balletic · balancing
pratfallingdeadpanning
Expressionless comedic delivery
witty repartee · verbal sparring · dramatic monologue · soliloquizing
pratfallingsticking the landing
Finishing a difficult move perfectly
nailing it · succeeding · triumphing · steady · upright
fall, fell, fallen, falling, falls, prat, pratfall, pratfalls