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shtick

/ʃtɪk/

Other forms: shticks

Your shtick is the particular gimmick or act you like to perform — it's your theme. After dinner parties, your shtick might be showing everyone your pet cobra.

A comedian or performer often has a shtick, which becomes the trick, song, or joke that people associate with her specifically. A clown's shtick could be falling flat on his back, and a pop star's shtick might be sticking out her tongue. In Yiddish, a shtik is "an act or gimmick," or sometimes "a trick or a prank." Literally, the word means "a little piece" or "a slice," from Middle High German stücke, "piece."

Definitions of shtick
  1. noun
    (Yiddish) a contrived and often used bit of business that a performer uses to steal attention
    synonyms: schtick, schtik, shtik
    see moresee less
    type of:
    business, byplay, stage business
    incidental activity performed by an actor for dramatic effect
  2. noun
    (Yiddish) a prank or piece of clowning
    synonyms: schtick, schtik, shtik
    see moresee less
    type of:
    buffoonery, clowning, frivolity, harlequinade, japery, prank
    acting like a clown or buffoon
  3. noun
    (Yiddish) a devious trick; a bit of cheating
    synonyms: schtick, schtik, shtik
    see moresee less
    type of:
    fast one, trick
    a cunning or deceitful action or device
  4. noun
    (Yiddish) a little; a piece
    synonyms: schtick, schtik, shtik
    see moresee less
    types:
    schtickl, schtikl, shtickl, shtikl
    a really little shtik
    type of:
    small indefinite amount, small indefinite quantity
    an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude
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