shtick

or shtik

[ shtik ]

noun

, Slang.

1. (especially in comic acting) a routine or piece of business inserted to gain a laugh or draw attention to oneself.
2. one's special interest, talent, etc.

shtick

/ ʃtɪk /

noun

1. slang.
   a comedian's routine; act; piece

Word History and Origins

Origin of shtick¹

First recorded in 1955–60; from Yiddish shtik “pranks, whims,” literally, “piece,” from Middle High German stücke, Old High German stucki ( German Stück ); stucco

Word History and Origins

Origin of shtick¹

C20: from Yiddish shtik piece, from Middle High German stücke

Example Sentences

Beyond the strongman shtick that motivates enthusiasm for Vladimir Putin and for movements like Fuentes’s, this is revealing.

From Washington Post

I would eventually run for and get elected to Congress, but I grew to find Limbaugh’s show to be little more than shtick.

From Time

“Borat 2” can’t rely on this shtick, however, because the original movie made Borat too recognizable.

From Washington Post

The film relies on a steady stream of gross gags and outdated shtick.

From The Daily Beast

But the main thing was corner shtick, we called it, and in our gang, I was the undisputed champ at corner shtick.

From The Daily Beast

Christie has “regular guy” down, too, but with him, he has it so far down that it risks becoming shtick.

From The Daily Beast

Critics who are less bullish on The Crazy Ones bemoan all of this, protesting that the Robin Williams shtick is worn out.

From The Daily Beast

J-Fal and the Roots reprised their classroom-instruments shtick with Robin Thicke Thursday to sing his hit, ‘Blurred Lines.’

From The Daily Beast

Wid a shtick in me fist Oi'll take care of ony spalpeen fwhat'll stand up in front av me.

From Project Gutenberg

Do you mind that shtick—big enough to sarve as a respictable shillalah at Donnybrook Fair?

From Project Gutenberg

Why, if it kim to a foight, the bastes could run underneath, and shtick their spears through the flure.

From Project Gutenberg

To wait a bit, and thin go round wid a thick shtick and bate all their heads.

From Project Gutenberg

He handed the cob to the waiter, and asked, "Will you plaze put some more beans on my shtick?"

From Project Gutenberg