stuck

A shtick is a comic theme or gimmick. The word entered the English language from the Yiddish shtik (שטיק), related to German Stück, Polish sztuka, Cyrillic штука (all ultimately from Proto-Germanic *stukkiją), all meaning "piece", "thing" or "theatre play"; Theaterstück is the German word for play (and is a synonym of Schauspiel, literally "viewing play" in contrast to Singspiel).
The English word piece is sometimes used in a similar context (for example, a musical piece). In stand-up comedy context a near equivalent term is a "bit". Another variant is "bits of business" or just "bits". Shtick may refer to an adopted persona, usually for comedy performances, that is maintained consistently (though not necessarily exclusively) across the performer's career. In this usage, the recurring personalities adopted by Laurel and Hardy through all of their many comedy films (although they often played characters with different names and occupations) would qualify as their shtick. A comedian might maintain several different shticks of this sort, particularly if appearing in a variety show encouraging development of multiple characters, such as Saturday Night Live.
In common usage, the word shtick has also come to mean any talent, style, habit, or other eccentricity for which a person is particularly well known, even if not intended for comedic purposes. For example, a person who is known locally for an ability to eat dozens of hot dogs quickly might say that it was his shtick. Among Orthodox Jews, "shtick" can also refer to wedding shtick, in which wedding guests entertain the bride and groom through dancing, costumes, juggling, and silliness.
Many fictional characters have more thematic shticks. This is particularly true of comic book villains, who are almost always seen wearing a particular costume and behaving in ways that are consistent with a bizarre and psychotic obsession. The supervillains of Batman (collectively known as the Rogues Gallery) are especially notorious for this (see below). There are also many professional wrestlers who deliver memorable catchphrases, and/or enter arenas performing signature gestures to the tune of thematically appropriate songs, causing crowds to laugh and cheer (see below).
Because of its roots in show business, shtick has taken on the connotation of a contrived and often-used act. For this reason, journalists and commentators often apply the word disparagingly to stock replies from politicians.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  • 1

    crispyjay

    Established Member From UK
    • Messages
      138
    • Reaction score
      132
    • Points
      46
  • 1

    Jeroen

    Established Member From Fryslân, The Netherlands
    • Messages
      65
    • Reaction score
      64
    • Points
      28
  • 1

    salty

    Distinguished Member From Lancs
    • Messages
      2,837
    • Reaction score
      5,932
    • Points
      1,540
  • 1

    fanagolo

    Standard Member From UK
    • Messages
      18
    • Reaction score
      4
    • Points
      3
  • 1

    Robfmg

    Novice Member From halifax
    • Messages
      2
    • Reaction score
      2
    • Points
      1
  • 1

    chris69

    Established Member From Sheffield UK
    • Messages
      66
    • Reaction score
      45
    • Points
      21
  • 1

    MarkHoward

    Novice Member 75 From New Zealand
    • Messages
      9
    • Reaction score
      3
    • Points
      3
  • 1

    DeonKrause

    Novice Member From Leuven
    • Messages
      3
    • Reaction score
      2
    • Points
      1
  • 1

    Aitch1

    Established Member From Warrington
    • Messages
      205
    • Reaction score
      150
    • Points
      85
  • 1

    MBCYB

    Standard Member From Scotland
    • Messages
      36
    • Reaction score
      18
    • Points
      11
  • 1

    bedsev

    Established Member From Bedfordshire uk
    • Messages
      261
    • Reaction score
      409
    • Points
      123
  • 1

    Gazzagaz

    Standard Member From Ashford (middx)
    • Messages
      32
    • Reaction score
      11
    • Points
      15
  • 1

    GameZone

    Established Member From Norway
    • Messages
      510
    • Reaction score
      351
    • Points
      173
  • 1

    NAJ

    Novice Member From Sweden
    • Messages
      1
    • Reaction score
      0
    • Points
      1
  • 1

    Rolfe

    Moderator From West Linton, Scotland
    • Messages
      10,601
    • Reaction score
      12,213
    • Points
      3,638
  • 1

    melaidhrin

    Standard Member From sweden
    • Messages
      4
    • Reaction score
      3
    • Points
      1
  • 1

    Kat Wood

    Novice Member From Oxfordshire
    • Messages
      5
    • Reaction score
      4
    • Points
      2
  • Back
    Top Bottom