Meaning of sight gag | Babel Free

Definitions

A visually presented action or device which causes a humorous response without requiring any accompanying commentary or other speech.

Examples

“Dragged suddenly before a formal dinner honoring the women's dean of Toledo University, he wowed his audience with a sight gag—he kissed the guest of honor.”

“In the good old ricky-tick days when movie directors wore riding breeches, a favorite cinematic sight gag was to reverse the film, which suddenly sent the actors waddling backwards through doors that closed behind them, putting their hats on instead of taking them off, and shoveling food out of their mouths instead of in.”

“In the opening sight gag, a guy in leisure wear shows up at his office only to find everyone in S&M clothes.”

“As he uttered these words, a PowerPoint image of Dr. Möller's face morphed into that of a smiling Pope Benedict. The sight gag had the psychiatrists roaring.”

CEFR level