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Deadpan

nbo_thistle

Senior Member
French
Hello, how to use "deadpan", talking about someone making jokes ?

He is a deadpan
or
He is deadpan

or maybe another way ??


Thanks
[...]
That's a word seen in a TV series.

Is it right to say "He has a deadpan" ?

thanks for saying "it describe the person's style rather than the person himself."
Last edited by a moderator:
here is an example for what it is worth:
"he delivered the joke in such a deadpan voice that we thought at first that he was serious"
If you want to describe the person, maybe you can say:
He has a dry sense of humour.
This thread has been moved from the French forum to the English Only forum.

I believe that you will find our dictionary definitions helpful --> deadpan.

See also this previous thread:

Cagey, moderator.
Someone might also be described as having a deadpan expression.
Note that "dead pan" comes from the usual meaning of "dead," along with "pan," a slang term for face.

Thus, "deadpan" refers to facial expression (actually, lack thereof).

Since dry wit is normally related to lack of expression or gestures, the term is sort of extended.

Wikipedia has an extensive discussion HERE.
To answer the OP directly, I have no problem with "He is deadpan."

A book search turns up many examples. For the cameras he was deadpan is a sample.

"He is a deadpan" is not idiomatic.
The art of having no expression on your face no matter the hilarity or other reactions you are causing in your audience.
Ex: John Doe is so deadpan. I'd bet he'd be good at poker.
Urban Dictionnary
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