shtick: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, often humorous
Quick answer
What does “shtick” mean?
A comedian's or performer's characteristic routine, gimmick, or style.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A comedian's or performer's characteristic routine, gimmick, or style.
A person's particular talent, habit, or eccentricity; one's typical behaviour or personal schtick.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both understand and use the term. It entered English via American Yiddish theatre and comedy, so American usage is slightly more established. The spelling 'schtick' is also common, especially in the UK.
Connotations
Similar in both: often humorous, sometimes slightly derogatory if implying an overused routine.
Frequency
More frequent in American English, particularly in media and entertainment writing. In the UK, it is understood but less commonly used in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “shtick” in a Sentence
do/pull/use/perform one's shtickthat's his/her/their shtickthe whole [adjective] shtickVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shtick” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was shticking it up for the cameras, as usual.
American English
- She shticked her way through the interview with old jokes.
adverb
British English
- (Not used)
American English
- (Not used)
adjective
British English
- (Rare) It was a very shticky performance.
American English
- (Rare) His shticky persona works better on stage than in person.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used humorously to describe a colleague's predictable sales pitch or presentation style.
Academic
Very rare, except perhaps in cultural or performance studies.
Everyday
Used informally to describe someone's characteristic, often amusing or annoying, behaviour. 'Oh, don't start with your conspiracy theory shtick.'
Technical
Used in comedy writing, performance critique, and entertainment journalism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shtick”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shtick”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shtick”
- Misspelling (shtik, schtik, shtick).
- Using it to mean a simple 'skill' without the connotation of a performed or characteristic routine.
- Pronouncing the 'sh' and 't' separately (/ʃə.tɪk/) instead of as a cluster (/ʃtɪk/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently. It describes a characteristic act. It can be neutral ('his comic shtick') or slightly negative if the act is seen as overused or insincere ('his poor-me shtick').
'Shtick' is the most common spelling. 'Schtick' is also widely accepted, especially in British English. Both are transliterations from Yiddish.
Yes. While it originated in entertainment, it is now used broadly to describe anyone's typical, noticeable behaviour or approach, especially if it seems somewhat performed or characteristic.
It comes from Yiddish 'shtik' (piece, something cut off, a prank), from Middle High German 'stücke' (piece). It entered American English via Yiddish-speaking entertainers and thence into wider English.
A comedian's or performer's characteristic routine, gimmick, or style.
Shtick is usually informal, often humorous in register.
Shtick: in British English it is pronounced /ʃtɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃtɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's my/your/his/her/their shtick.”
- “The whole [adjective] shtick (e.g., 'the whole poor-me shtick')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STICK a comedian might use as a prop in their routine. Their SHTICK is their routine.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERFORMANCE is a PERSONAL POSSESSION ("his shtick"). HABITUAL BEHAVIOUR is a PERFORMED ROUTINE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'shtick' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?