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tsukkomi
What does tsukkomi mean?
In a comic double act, the sharp-tongued 'straight man' who reacts to and calls out the funny man's nonsense, often with a smack or a retort. A staple of anime comedy.
"She plays the tsukkomi to his endless idiotic schemes."
Origin
Japanese 突っ込み (tsukkomi), from tsukkomu 'to thrust in / cut in', from manzai comedy.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tsukkomi?
In Japanese comedy it's the 'straight man' who sharply corrects or reacts to the funny man's (boke's) nonsense, often with a retort or a smack.
Where does tsukkomi come from?
It comes from manzai, a traditional Japanese stand-up double act, from the verb tsukkomu, 'to thrust in' or 'cut in'.
What's the opposite of a tsukkomi?
The boke — the funny man or fool who makes the mistakes and silly remarks that the tsukkomi reacts to.
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