How Do You Spell DEADPANS?

Pronunciation: [dˈɛdpanz] (IPA)

The word "deadpans" is spelled with a diphthong, or two vowel sounds, in the first syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription shows that the first syllable is pronounced as "dɛd," with the "e" and "a" sounds blending together. The second syllable is pronounced with a separate "a" sound, as "pæns." "Deadpan" refers to a facial expression or tone of voice that is deliberately emotionless or serious, often used in humor or satire. "Deadpans" is its plural form.

DEADPANS Meaning and Definition

  1. Deadpans refers to a style or technique of delivering humor or a statement in a completely serious and emotionless manner. It is characterized by a lack of expression, tone, or any visible signs of amusement, thereby creating comedic irony or an unexpected twist. This form of comedic delivery relies on the contrast between the serious demeanor of the speaker and the humorous content of the statement, resulting in a deadpan delivery that can catch the audience off guard and evoke laughter.

    The term 'deadpan' is often used in the context of comedy, particularly stand-up comedy, where comedians utilize deadpan humor to deliver jokes in a dry, matter-of-fact manner. The deadpan style is also prevalent in sitcoms, sketches, and films, where actors may adopt deadpan expressions and delivery to enhance comedic effect. Deadpan humor can vary in its subtlety, with some performers presenting a more subtle deadpan style while others employ more exaggerated deadpan deliveries.

    The origins of the term can be traced back to the early 20th century vaudeville era, where comedians often used an expressionless face or deadpan delivery to create comedic tension and surprise. Over time, deadpan humor has become a popular comedic device, renowned for its ability to subvert expectations and catch audiences off guard. As such, deadpan has become entrenched in the comedy lexicon, representing a distinctive style of delivery that relies on withholding apparent emotion or reaction to humorous situations or statements.

Common Misspellings for DEADPANS

Etymology of DEADPANS

The term "deadpans" is derived from the word "deadpan", which originated in the early 20th century in American English. It is composed of two parts: "dead" and "pan".

The term "dead" in this context refers to a lack of emotion, expression, or vitality. It was originally used to describe someone's facial expression or demeanor that showed no signs of emotion or amusement. This usage of "dead" to mean lack of life or vitality can be traced back to Middle English and Old English.

The word "pan" in "deadpan" is an informal term used to refer to the face. It likely evolved from the word "pannikin", which originally referred to a small metal drinking vessel but later came to be used to describe the face. The usage of "pan" to mean face can also be found in phrases like "mug shot" or "panning the camera".

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