Slapstick
WordNet
adjective
(1) Characterized by horseplay and physical action
"Slapstick style of humor"
noun
(2) Acoustic device consisting of two paddles hinged together; used by an actor to make a loud noise without inflicting injury when striking someone
(3) A boisterous comedy with chases and collisions and practical jokes
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From slap + stick, the English translation of the . The slapstick was a pair of sticks tied together that made a loud noise when struck together, and was used by the comic character Harlequin in the commedia dell'arte.
Noun
- physical comedy, e.g. slipping on a banana peel
- a pair of sticks tied together at one end and used to create a slapping sound effect for (1)