What is dead pan?

Deadpan is a type of humor or comedy characterized by a deliberately impassive, emotionless, or expressionless delivery of jokes or satire. Deadpan humor is often associated with a lack of exaggeration, sarcasm, or irony.

The deadpan delivery style can be traced back to the origins of comedy, specifically in the era of silent films. It became popular in the 1950s and 1960s with comedians like Bob Newhart, Don Knotts, and Woody Allen.

Deadpan comedy is sometimes used to subvert the listener's expectations or take them off guard with a punchline that is unexpected. It is also sometimes used to comment on social or political issues without directly stating an opinion.

Notable examples of deadpan humor can be found in TV shows like The Office and Arrested Development, as well as in the stand-up comedy of comedians like Steven Wright and Mitch Hedberg.