custard-pie

American  

[kuhs-terd-pahy] / ˈkʌs tərdˈpaɪ /

adjective

1. characteristic of a type of slapstick comedy in which a performer throws a pie in another's face: popular especially in the era of vaudeville and early silent films.

---

custard pie British  

noun

1. 1. a flat, open pie filled with real or artificial custard, as thrown in slapstick comedy

   2. ( as modifier )

      custard-pie humour

---

Etymology

Origin of custard-pie

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

On the other hand, he has also lost the Elizabethan faculty for fairly plastering his "opponent" with a custard-pie onslaught of laborious, invidious obscenities.

From Time Magazine Archive

They watched beadily as the slim, smiling youth received the first, custard-pie impact of an American welcome.

From Time Magazine Archive

Boisterous, rowdy, full of custard-pie humor, the program last week was hard on the heels of top-rating quiz show Information Please.

From Time Magazine Archive

She has one foot on the dashboard, and bubble-gum bubbles are popping out of her funny little rosebud mouth, right there in the middle of her funny big custard-pie face.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Boil it down a little, and give it a lower crust, and I should think it would make a very good custard-pie," said Jack.

From The Voyage of the Rattletrap by Wilder, H. M.