Spit-take

A spit-take is a comic technique or reaction^[1] in which someone spits a beverage out of his or her mouth when he or she reacts to a statement. In this context, the word "take" is used in the sense of taking in information. It is similar in construction to the phrase "double-take."

Spit take made it into the Oxford Dictionary,^[2] not to be confused with the Oxford English Dictionary, in a 2014 update.

Danny Thomas sometimes is credited with popularizing its use in comedy. Albert Brooks' short film, The Famous Comedians School, features a workshop on spit takes.

Examples

Two characters sit at a table. Character #1 has a cup of coffee in hand.

Character 1: Did they ever find that missing toxic sludge?
Character 2: Yes.
(Character 1 sips coffee.)
Character 2: Someone poured it into the coffee urn.
(Character 1 spits the coffee all over the table.)

In a spit-take, the reaction is usually one of surprise. The "spit" action is overly dramatized; performers will add lots of noise and spray liquid from their mouth in an exaggerated fashion.

References

1. "Spit Take". TV Tropes. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
2. "Spit Take Entry, Oxford Dictionary". http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/spit-take. External link in |website= (help);