Spit-take
Encyclopedia
A spit-take is a comedic technique in which someone spits
a beverage out of his or her mouth when he or she reacts to a statement. In this context, the word "take" is used in the sense of taking in information. It is similar in construction to the phrase "double-take."
Example: Two characters sit at a table. Character #1 has a cup of coffee in hand.
Character 1: Did they ever find that missing toxic sludge?
Character 2: Yes.
(Character 1 sips coffee.)
Character 2: Someone poured it into the coffee urn.
(Character 1 spits the coffee all over the table.)
In a spit-take, the reaction is usually one of surprise. The "spit" action is overly dramatized; performers will add lots of noise and spray liquid from their mouth in an exaggerated fashion.
The surprise need not be related to the substance being consumed; it is a vehicle to convey shock or surprise humorously with an exaggerated visual.
Example: Three characters sit at a table. Character #3, wearing a yellow sweater, has a cup of juice in hand.
Character 1: Hey, did you hear that laundry detergent can cause fatal psoriasis?
(Character 3 sips from cup.)
Character 2: Yeah, but only for people who wear yellow sweaters.
(Character 3 spits the drink all over the table.)
Danny Thomas
sometimes is credited with popularizing its use in comedy.
Albert Brooks
' short film, The Famous Comedians School, features a workshop on spit takes.
Spitting
Spitting or expectoration is the act of forcibly ejecting saliva or other substances from the mouth. It is currently considered rude and a social taboo in many parts of the world including the West, while in some other parts of the world it is considered more acceptable...
a beverage out of his or her mouth when he or she reacts to a statement. In this context, the word "take" is used in the sense of taking in information. It is similar in construction to the phrase "double-take."
Example: Two characters sit at a table. Character #1 has a cup of coffee in hand.
Character 1: Did they ever find that missing toxic sludge?
Character 2: Yes.
(Character 1 sips coffee.)
Character 2: Someone poured it into the coffee urn.
(Character 1 spits the coffee all over the table.)
In a spit-take, the reaction is usually one of surprise. The "spit" action is overly dramatized; performers will add lots of noise and spray liquid from their mouth in an exaggerated fashion.
The surprise need not be related to the substance being consumed; it is a vehicle to convey shock or surprise humorously with an exaggerated visual.
Example: Three characters sit at a table. Character #3, wearing a yellow sweater, has a cup of juice in hand.
Character 1: Hey, did you hear that laundry detergent can cause fatal psoriasis?
(Character 3 sips from cup.)
Character 2: Yeah, but only for people who wear yellow sweaters.
(Character 3 spits the drink all over the table.)
Danny Thomas
Danny Thomas
Danny Thomas was an American nightclub comedian and television and film actor, best known for starring in the television sitcom Make Room for Daddy . He was also the founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital...
sometimes is credited with popularizing its use in comedy.
Albert Brooks
Albert Brooks
Albert Lawrence Brooks is an American actor, voice actor, writer, comedian and director. He received an Academy Award nomination in 1987 for his role in Broadcast News...
' short film, The Famous Comedians School, features a workshop on spit takes.