Definition: 1. The scene imagined in audience's minds based upon receiving a joke's Setup. 2. One of the five joke structure mechanisms that connect Setup and Punchline. See Joke Prospector Writing System, joke writing, and joke structure.

Example Sentences: 1. The comedian's joke set-up was when he said, ‘I walked into a bar,’ the audience immediately pictured a dimly lit pub with a row of stools and a bartender cleaning glasses - that's the 1st story.. 2. 1st Story is one of the joke structure mechanisms taught in the Greg Dean Method.

Etymology: Joke Structure was developed and coined as a comedy term by Greg Dean.1st Story derives from the words first (Old English fyrst) meaning foremost or earliest and story (Latin "historia") for narrative or account.

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Definition: 1. The scene imagined in audience's minds based upon receiving a joke's Punchline. 2. One of the five joke structure mechanisms that connect Setup and Punchline. See joke structure, Joke Prospector Writing System, and joke writing.

Example Sentence: When I hear a comedian say a punchline, I imagine a scene or 2nd Story so it makes sense to me.

Etymology: 2nd: Derived from the Old English word “ōðer,” meaning “other” or “second.” Story: Comes from the Latin word “historia,” which means “narrative” or “account.”

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Definition: POVs (Points of View): Key elements in stand-up comedy storytelling, where the comedian adopts performance roles during his routine involving different perspectives. See Narrator POV, Self POV, Character POV, and storytelling.

Example Sentence: In storytelling, the Comedian will often become all 3 POVs.

Etymology: The use of POVs in comedy can be traced back to early vaudeville performers like Charlie Case. He is often credited with the first form of stand-up comedy, performing humorous monologues without props or costumes.

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Definition: Three most common lengths of routines or shows, in minutes, which comedians need to have prepared and ready to perform upon request. See routines.

Example Sentence: I almost have enough material to build 3-5 and 10-minute routines.

Etymology: 3-5 and 10 was coined by Greg Dean.

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Definition: Abbreviation for Clubs, Colleges, Cruise ships, and Corporations which are the four venues where stand-up comedians can get work. See gig.

Example Sentence: Of the 4 Cs, the clubs are where you'll get your first work.

Etymology: The term, 4 cs was originally coined by Greg Dean.

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Definition: 1. Convention that imagines a wall existing between performers and their audience. 2. As related to stand-up comedy, when comedians enact a scene, Self POVs and Character POVs live in that environment unaware there's an audience. See scene work and Anatomy of Funny Storytelling.

Example Sentence: When you're watching a scene that takes place in a room, the 4th wall of it is taken off so the audience can watch the action unfold.

Etymology: The concept of the “4th wall” is attributed to the philosopher, critic, and dramatist Denis Diderot, who wrote in 1758 that actors and writers should "imagine a huge wall across the front of the stage, separating you from the audience, and behave exactly as if the curtain had never risen"

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Definition: In the Greg Dean model of joke structure, there are 5 mechanisms which connect the Setup and Punchline: 1st Story, Target Assumption, Connector, Reinterpretation, and 2nd Story. See Greg Dean's Joke Structure and joke structure.

Example Sentence: I never realized jokes were connected by 5 joke mechanisms, but they sure do explain how jokes work.

Etymology: This term and joke structure were both developed and coined by Greg Dean, a notable pioneer in the field of stand-up comedy education.

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Definition: Abbreviation for Laughs Per Minute. 5 or more laughs per minute is the professional standard for stand-up comedy shows. See routines and laughs per minute.

Example Sentence: A great stand up comedy routine should get at least 5 LPMs.

Etymology: The exact origin of the term and who first coined it is not well-documented. It is likely that the term evolved organically within the comedy community as a way to quantify and evaluate comedic performance.

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In the ABCs of comedy material rating system, A is the funniest jokes in routines or funniest routines in shows. "I'll start my show with my B material, do some crowd work, then end with my A material." See ABCs and BCAs.

Definition: Rating system that gives values to jokes within routines, or routines within shows with A being the best. See A material, B material, and C material.

Example Sentence: I've recorded several of my shows and now I'm going to rate every joke using the ABCs system.

Etymology: The etymology of this term is not well-documented, but it likely evolved from the general use of letter grading systems in various fields to denote quality or performance levels

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Definition: (1) Scene work in a stand-up comedy routine. (2) A scene within stand-up comedy routines where the comedian portrays all the roles of Narrator POV, Self POV, and Character POV. See scene work. and Anatomy of Funny Storytelling. (Act out coined by Judy Carter.)

Example Sentence: "In his latest set, the comedian's act out of a chaotic family dinner had the audience in stitches, as he seamlessly switched between the narrator, himself, and each exaggerated family member."

Etymology: The term "act out" in comedy likely derives from the broader theatrical tradition, where actors "act out" scenes by physically and vocally embodying different characters. In stand-up comedy, this technique has been adapted to describe a routine where the comedian performs a mini-scene, portraying various roles to enhance the humor and storytelling. This method allows the comedian to bring scenarios to life in a vivid and engaging way, drawing on the traditions of solo performance in theater and dramatic monologues.

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Spontaneously stating jokes within a scripted routine or show. "I give myself permission to ad-lib anytime during my show if I think of something funny." See improv.

Point at which older comedians cannot get work because the younger generation of audiences don’t attend their shows, hence they age out. See bitters.

(1) A different way of explaining something. (2) As related to Greg Dean's Joke Prospector Writing System, it is an un-expected, yet compatible meaning of a Connector, other than the Target Assumption or the expected meaning. "What creates surprise in a joke is when the punchline is expressing a very unexpected alternative interpretation." See Connector, Reinterpretation, Target Assumption, Greg Dean's Joke Structure, and joke structure.

Greg Dean’s model of the three performance roles, points of view (POVs), used in stand-up comedy storytelling: Narrator POV, Self POV, and Character POV. When performing, comedians are always in at least one of these POVs. "If you want to understand joke structure when telling stories, read Anatomy of Funny Storytelling." See Character POV, Narrator POV, Self POV, and storytelling joke structure.

In a crowded venue when only one person makes a single clap, then stops. (Term coined by Michael Davis Juggler.) "If only one person claps, is that an applau?" See applause and applause break.

Belief that something exists or is true without proof or evidence. "An assumption by its very nature is a guess therefore it's not real." See Greg Dean's joke structure.

Based on a piece of communication, Setup or Punchline, the mental means in which people compile information to fill in ambiguous or incomplete information to build a scenario in their minds until they believe they know what that piece of communication means. See 1st Story, 2nd Story.

(1) a fixed way of thinking or feeling about someone or something. (2) As related to the stand up comedy, the expression of only one negative emotion, opinion, or judgment repeatedly used toward every subject in jokes and routines. "The character of Steven Wright has a funny attitude toward all of his jokes." See comic voice.

Calendar sent to bookers to indicate when the comedian can accept comedy gigs. "I send my availability dates to the booker of the comedy club." See avails.

Abbreviation for availability dates which is a calendar sent to bookers to indicate when the days and weeks a comedian can accept comedy gigs. "The club booker asked me to send my avails" See availability dates.

Definition: In the ABCs of comedy material rating system, B is the second-best jokes in a routine, or second-best routines within a show. "For tonight's show I'm going to work on my B material to find more tags." See ABCs and BCAs.

Example Sentence: During his set, the comedian realized the audience wasn’t responding well to his A-list jokes, so he quickly switched to his B material to see if it would get a better reaction

Etymology: This term is rooted in the practice of rating or categorizing jokes and routines based on their effectiveness and audience response. It likely evolved informally among comedians and writers as a way to organize and evaluate their material based on audience reactions and effectiveness.

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A section of stand-up comedy routines or shows or a short routine. "I've decided to take out the After School bit because it slows down my show." See routine.

Angry resentful state of mind some comedians get when they've had a long career, but never made it into the big time who feel overlooked and uncredited for their contribution to comedy history. "Since he retired from comedy, Joey has developed a bad case of the bitters."

Hired for a comedy gig or job. "I'm so excited, I just booked my first paid stand-up comedy gig." See PA representation.

Person who hires and pays comedians to work. "The club booker hired me to be the opener and MC for a weekend gig." See PA representation and representation.

(1) The act of hiring comedians for shows. (2) The jobs comedians have booked. "This weekend I have my first booking of the year." See booker, PA representation, and representation.

Rooms or comedy clubs that require comedians to bring audience members to get stage time. "I did my first bringer show and my friends left before I got on stage at 2 a.m. These shows should come with a warning."

Stand-up comedy shows where the comedians must bring audience members to get stage time. "For the bringer show I had to bring five paying customers to get 5 minutes on stage." See bringer.

Comedian being pushed to later time slot within the shows lineup, often by known comedians asking for unscheduled stage time. "As a non paid regular, when any famous comedians drops in, I'm the first to get bumped." See drop in.

In the ABCs of comedy material rating system, C is the weakest jokes in routines, or weakest routines within a shows. "I like to place my C material between stronger jokes so they don't slow down my show." See ABCs and BCAs.

When comedians gives the minimum effort to a performance. "He could have at least given more of an effort rather than just call-in his show." See phone in.

Repeating the punchline from a previously performed joke earlier in the routine. "She did a great callback with the different uses of a bottlecap." See running gag.

Antiquated term for the final joke in routines and shows to end with the biggest laugh. "It was very clever how he got such a bit laugh with that capper." See closing joke and tag.

Common phrase repeatedly delivered with unusual or extraordinary emphasis that becomes a comedian's verbal trademark. "'I don't get no respect.' was Rodney Dangerfield's catchphrase."

One of three perceptual position or roles within Greg Dean's Anatomy of Funny Storytelling achieved when comedians act out scenes and portray someone or something else. "That Character POV was spot on because he found that person's mindset." See act out, Anatomy of Funny Storytelling, Narrator POV, Self POV, and scene work.

Description of comedians with a great deal of experience with handles difficult audience situations with easy. "After shutting down that heckler I realized this guy has chops." See stage time.

Joke designed to get an audience to applaud and agree, rather than laugh. The term is most often used in a negative sense. "Notice he didn't get a laugh with what he said, instead he got agreement with a round of clapter." (Submitted by Scott Meltzer.)

The jokes in stand-up comedy shows with no curse words or inappropriate subjects that is suitable for network television programs. "Elen got on all the late night talk shows because she did clean material." See blue material.

(1) Comedians with shows strong enough to top the evening’s previous comedians. (2) A comedian’s final joke or routine. "It took Anthony more than a decade of performing to be a closer." See closing line.

Final joke of stand-up comedy shows designed to get a huge laugh while the comedian exits the stage. "Josh always uses the same joke as his closing line." See closer.

(1) Someone who seeks to entertain people by making them laugh. (2) Someone who uses a character to get laughs. An old saying: "A comic says funny things. A comedian says things funny." See comic.

Female comedian. "Most comedians don't know that Jean Carroll was the first modern day comedienne." Check her out on Youtube. See comedian and comic.

Tempo, rhythm, and emphasis of material and response in a feedback loop that develops between comedians and their audiences during a performance. "There's no one who had better comedy timing than Jerry." See comic timing and timing.

(1) Someone who seeks to entertain people by making them laugh. (2) Someone who uses jokes to get laughs. An old saying: "A comic say funny things. A comedians say things funny." See comedian and comedienne.

Tempo, rhythm, and emphasis of material and response in a feedback loop that develops between comedians and their audiences during a performance. "Robin had the fastest comic timing of anyone." See comedy timing and timing.

Comics other comics most admire and emulate. "Stephen Wright is definitely a comic's comic." See comic and comedian.

(1) Information generally shared by most people. (2) information available within an immediate environment. (3) As related to stand-up comedy, the information within jokes the audience must be familiar to get the jokes. "Sometimes a joke setup is already in the audience's minds as common knowledge." See inside joke.

Pronounced [kom]+[pair] British term for Master or Mistress of Ceremonies, MC, and emcee. "In the pub Dog and Pony there was an open mic upstairs run by the compere." See Emcee, host, Master or Mistress of Ceremonies, and MC.

Joke structure mechanism at the center of all comedy, humor, and jokes defined as 1 thing with at least 2 interpretations. See ambiguity. (As related to Greg Dean's Joke Structure and Joke Prospector Writing System this is one of the five mechanisms between the setup and punchline which explain how jokes work.) Fully explained in Greg Dean's books "Step by Step to Stand-Up Comedy" and "How to Write Jokes" available on Amazon.com

The electrical cable which is attached to the microphone with a jack and plugs into the venue sound equipment. See microphone and mic cord.

Condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don't make enough saliva due to preforming anxiety or smoking some fantastic weed. See dry mouth and stage fright.

After the delivery of a failed joke when the audience is so quiet one could imagine hearing crickets. e.g. "At the end of my joke, there was nothing but crickets." See bomb, die, dog it, eat it, flop, suck, tank…

When comedians ask questions of the audience then banter with the intent to find laughs. i.e. Questions: What's your name? or What do you do for a living? See comeback.

Style of intonation, inflection, pace, timing, and character ideocracies in the presenting comedy material. "Gary was a great writing and his delivery was flawless." See comedy timing.

Word or phrase that is open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or indecent. "Many of the joke on Whose Line Is It Anyway are sex laden double ententres." See joke, pun, wordplay.

When a comedian looks at something, looks away, then is compelled to quickly look back to understand what was not comprehended with the first look which is followed by an expression shock, disbelief, or dismay. "Silent film stars took great pride in their abilities to master the double take to get laughs." See take.

The location closest to the audience at the center of the stage. "Downstage center is where you should always find the mic and where you should leave it." See DSC.

Any form of entertainment that balances the elements of drama and comedy, hence the made up word dramedy. "Bobby is starring on tv in another dramedy."

When a famous comedian unexpectedly enters a comedy club and immediately gets put on the stage, often with no restrictions on the amount of performing time, which pushes all of the comedians in that night's lineup to be bumped to a later time slot. "Robin would often drop in to the Comedy Store and do an hour or more." See bumped.

When comedians don't show up or cancel their appearance at a comedy room or club with little or no advance notice. "I let the club booker know that when he has a drop out to call me."

Condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don't make enough saliva due to preforming anxiety or smoking some fantastic weed. "Take a glass of water with you on stage incase you get dry mouth." See cotton mouth and stage fright.

How comedians feel when doing a comedy shows that get no or few laughs. "I'm dying up here." See die, crickets, eat it, flop, suck, dog it, tank…

To perform comedy shows that get no or few laughs. "At that really bad venue, did you eat it.?" See bomb, die, dying, crickets, flop, suck, tank, dog it …

Funny people with a unique character or style that move outside of the norms even for comedians. "I can think of two eccentric comedians, they are Andy Kaufman and Jim Carey."

Comedy material dealing very hurtful subjects, yet are able to maintain a comedic tone that does not cross the hurt line into drama. "When Chris did an edgy routine about his molestation." See dark material and hurt line.

The signal given to comedians that they only have one minute left or it’s time to end their shows and get off stage. "When you get the light, respect the light." See light and run the light.

Definition: 1. Comics who perform overused and cliché topics and jokes with overacted delivery without relating to the audience. 2. In comedy, a "hack" refers to a comedian who performs overused, clichéd material with an exaggerated delivery, often lacking originality and failing to connect meaningfully with the audience. See comic's cliches.

Example Sentences: 1. Dave is a hack because he uses all of the comic's cliches in his show. 2. The audience quickly lost interest when they realized the comedian was just a hack, relying on tired, overused jokes and exaggerated delivery.

Etymology: The term "hack" in its derogatory sense originates from the word "hackney," which in the 16th century referred to a horse used for ordinary riding, often overworked and worn out. By the 18th century, "hack" began to be used more broadly to describe a person who does dull or routine work, particularly a writer producing unoriginal or formulaic content.

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Definition: 1. Overused topics, premises, and jokes filled with comic’s clichés. 2. Performance of hack material with obvious joke deliver where you can hear a drum rim shot. See comic's cliches and hack.

Example Sentences: 1. The material Bobby used couldn't be more hacky. 2. The comedian's performance was so hacky, with every joke being a tired stereotype we've all heard a hundred times before.

Etymology: The term "hacky" derives from "hack," which has been used since the mid-20th century in comedy to describe unoriginal and stale performances. "Hacky" emerged as an adjective to describe anything related to or characteristic of a "hack" comedian, particularly in the latter half of the 20th century as the stand-up comedy scene became more critical of unoriginal material.

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Definition: 1. The technique of placing weak or new stand up comedy material between two strong jokes or routines. 2. In comedy, a "hammock" refers to the placement of a weaker or experimental joke between two stronger, well-established jokes in a routine. See BCAs and sandwich.

Example Sentences: 1. I'll open with my B material, then hammock my new bit, and close with my A stuff. 2. The comedian smartly used a hammock strategy, sandwiching his new joke between two proven punchlines to keep the audience engaged.

Etymology: The term "hammock" in this context comes from the idea of "supporting" or "suspending" something. In comedy, it likely began to be used in the late 20th century as a metaphor for the practice of balancing weaker jokes (the hammock) between two stronger ones (the support beams).

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Definition: 1. The third and last comedian in a traditional stand-up comedy show lineup who has a following and famous enough to attract audience members to fill comedy clubs and does forty-five to an hour performance to close the shows. 2. In comedy, a "headliner" is the main act of a comedy show, typically the most well-known or experienced comedian, who performs the final and longest set of the night, usually after the opening acts. See opener, middle, and closer.

Example Sentences: 1. It took me fifteen years on the road to get enough national exposure to be a headliner. 2. The crowd was excited for the headliner, who had a reputation for delivering a killer set every time.

Etymology: The term "headliner" originated from the early 20th century in the entertainment industry, where the top-billed act or performer was listed in large type at the top of the show's promotional material, known as the "headline." In comedy, the term came into common use in the mid-20th century as stand-up comedy became a more established form of entertainment.

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Definition: 1. Audience members, usually drunk or high, who talk out loud or make comments and interrupt comedy shows and the comedian's rhythm. 2. A mental social disease. See heckler line.

Example Sentences: 1. Did you hear Kip crush that heckler with 'Out of millions of sperm you the quickest'? 2. The comedian expertly handled the heckler, turning their rude comments into a source of even bigger laughs.

Etymology: The term "heckler" dates back to the late 19th century, originally referring to textile workers who heckled or interrupted speakers at political events with sharp questions or comments. By the early 20th century, the term was adopted in the entertainment industry, particularly in stand-up comedy, to describe audience members who disrupt performances.

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Definition: 1. Insult jokes comedians write, collect, and memorize to use on different kinds of hecklers to get them to shut up. 2. A "heckler line" is a pre-prepared, witty response used by comedians to shut down or manage a heckler during a performance, often turning the interruption into a comedic moment that enhances the show. See insult, comeback, heckler, put down.

Example Sentences: 1. Now I know why some animals eat their young. 2. When the audience member wouldn't stop yelling, the comedian delivered a perfect heckler line that had the entire crowd laughing and the heckler silenced.

Etymology: The concept of a "heckler line" emerged in the mid-20th century as stand-up comedy became more prominent, and comedians needed quick, sharp retorts to handle interruptions from hecklers.

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Definition: 1. A less formal term for Master or Mistress of Ceremonies, MC, and emcee. 2. In comedy, a "host" (also known as an emcee or MC) is the comedian responsible for opening the show, introducing the other performers, keeping the energy up between acts, and often performing their own material throughout the night. See compere, Emcee, Master or Mistress of Ceremonies, and MC.

Example Sentences: 1. I'm going to be the host at my own open mic. 2. The host warmed up the crowd with some sharp jokes before introducing the first act of the night.

Etymology: The term "host" has its origins in the Latin word hospes, meaning "guest" or "host," and has been used in English since the late Middle Ages to describe someone who receives or entertains guests. In the context of comedy, the term "host" started to be used in the 20th century as stand-up comedy clubs and shows became more formalized.

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Definition: 1. The duties of the MC to make announcements, promote future shows, recognize birthdays, point out exits and restrooms, calm hecklers, sell merchandise, run raffles, give curtain calls, end shows, and help empty the rooms. 2. In comedy, "housekeeping" refers to the initial announcements or remarks made by a comedian or host at the beginning of a show, which often include reminders about venue rules, upcoming events, and general information to ensure the show runs smoothly. See MC and host.

Example Sentences: 1. Before starting a show the MC must first do some housekeeping by telling the audience where the exits and restrooms are located. 2. Before getting into his routine, the comedian handled the housekeeping by reminding everyone to silence their phones and tip the waitstaff.

Etymology: The term "housekeeping" originates from the domestic practice of maintaining and organizing a home, dating back to the late Middle Ages. In the context of comedy and live performances, "housekeeping" was adapted in the late 20th century to describe the necessary but mundane announcements or instructions given to the audience before the main entertainment begins.

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Definition: 1. Communicating a joke to an audience faster than they can comprehend the Setup's relationship to the Punchline, which can diminish or kill the laugh. 2. To "hurry a joke" in comedy means to deliver the punchline too quickly, without allowing the setup to build properly, often resulting in the joke falling flat or not achieving its full comedic potential. See rush a joke and processing.

Example Sentences: 1. I'm afraid I'll hurry a joke because I don't trust it will get a laugh. 2. The comedian hurried the joke, missing the perfect pause before the punchline, and the audience didn't react as strongly as they might have.

Etymology: The phrase "hurry a joke" likely developed within the stand-up comedy scene in the mid-20th century as a way to describe a common mistake made by comedians.

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Definition: 1. Subjective psychological tipping point when the pain within the comedy becomes real and turns mood into drama. 2. A "hurt line" is a sharp, cutting remark or joke delivered by a comedian, often in response to a heckler or as part of their act, intended to sting or embarrass the target of the joke. See dramedy.

Example Sentences: 1. When Mario kicked the imaginary dog, it still crossed the hurt line because he became a person who would kick a dog. 2. When the heckler kept interrupting, the comedian fired back with a hurt line that left the room in stunned silence before the laughter erupted.

Etymology: The term "hurt line" likely emerged in the late 20th century within the stand-up comedy scene, where quick-witted responses to hecklers or biting remarks became a hallmark of skilled comedians.

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Definition: the action of crafting humorous expressions.

Example Sentence: After bombing at his last open mic, Ronald signed up for a stand-up comedy class to improve his joke writing skills.

Colloquial Usage: joke writing is a broad term that includes the creation of humor in the mind, improvisationally, crafted on paper or screen, pitched, rewriting existing or public domain, and punching up comedy scripts or routines.

Etymology: Joke derives from Latin "iocus" meaning jest, sport, past time. Writing derives from Old English "writan" which means to "score, outline or draw the figure of."

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When comedians in the same comedy show lineup have similar topics, premises, or jokes.

1. Persons who introduce performers in a lineup.
2. Abbreviation for Master or Mistress of Ceremonies. See compere, emcee, and host.

Definition: Comedians who frequently perform at a particular showcase comedy club, but does not get paid because they are getting stage time and experience in front of live audiences. See regular, paid regular, and stage time.

Example Sentence: After months of performing at open mics, she finally became an unpaid regular at the comedy club.

Etymology: This term likely originated in the mid-20th century, particularly in the stand-up comedy scene.

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Definition: After shows when comedians come down from the excitement and stress of performing by getting something to eat, drinking or using drugs, or socializing until they are calm or numb enough to be able to sleep, hence wind down.

Example Sentence: After his routine, he likes to wind down with friends before going home.

Etymology: The term “wind down” originated from the mechanical age, where it was used to describe the process of gradually slowing or stopping a machine by releasing tension from a spring or winding mechanism.

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Definition: Verbal wit based on the meanings and ambiguities of words. See also ambiguity, joke, pun, double entendre, and connector.

Example sentence:  Her stand-up routine was filled with clever wordplay, leaving the audience in stitches with her witty puns and double entendres.

Etymology: Old English "word" and Old English plegan. Wordplay has been in use since circa 1855.

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Definition: x rated material are those jokes or routines with foul language, graphic sex, toilet, and mucus references which can be very offensive to average sensibilities that cannot be done on network tv. See blue material, caca, and toilet material.

Example Sentence: The comedian’s late-night show featured a mix of clever wordplay and x-rated material, ensuring that the audience was both entertained and occasionally shocked.

Etymology: The “X” rating was introduced by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) in 1968 and indicated that the material was for an adult audience only.

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