A one-liner is a
joke that is delivered in a single line. A good one-liner is said to be
pithy – concise and meaningful.[1] Comedians and actors use this comedic method as part of their performance, and many fictional characters are also known to deliver one-liners, including
James Bond, who often makes pithy and laconic quips after disposing of a villain.[2]
Examples
"Never read a pop-up book about giraffes." (
Sean Lock)
"Throwing acid is wrong. In some people's eyes." (
Jimmy Carr)
"My girlfriend makes me want to be a better person - so I can get a better girlfriend." (
Anthony Jeselnik)
"Cricket. No matter who wins, both teams, and all the fans, are losers." (
Frankie Boyle)
"If life were easy, it wouldn’t be difficult." (
Kermit the Frog)
"An escalator cannot break, it can only become stairs." (
Mitch Hedberg)
"My movies were the kind they show in prisons and airplanes, because nobody can leave." (
Burt Reynolds)
"I'm on a whiskey diet… I've lost three days already." (
Tommy Cooper)