Pronunciation: [ɡˈaɡ lˈa͡ɪn] (IPA) 
The term "gag line" is often used in comedy scripts and refers to the punchline of a joke. The phonetic transcription in IPA for "gag line" is /gæɡ laɪn/. The spelling of this word follows standard English spelling rules, with the "g" pronounced as a hard "g" sound and the "a" pronounced as a short "a" sound. The "y" after "gag" serves as a vowel sound, creating a diphthong with the "a" sound in "line."
A "gag line" is a term commonly used in comedy and entertainment, referring to a humorous or witty punchline that concludes a joke or a comedic sketch. It is a line that is intended to provoke laughter and deliver the comedic payoff to the setup or premise established earlier. The purpose of a gag line is to surprise or amuse the audience by presenting an unexpected or clever twist that subverts their expectations.
Gag lines can be found in various forms of comedy, such as stand-up routines, sitcom scripts, or comedic sketches. They are crafted to elicit an immediate response from the audience, often through wordplay, puns, irony, or a subversive twist of logic. The effectiveness of a gag line depends on its comedic timing, delivery, and context within the larger joke or sketch.
In the world of comedy writing and performance, crafting an effective gag line requires a combination of skill, creativity, and understanding of comedic timing. Comedians and comedy writers often spend significant time honing their material and experimenting with different gag lines to maximize their comedic impact and generate laughter from the audience.
Overall, a gag line can be considered as the culmination of a comedic setup, cleverly designed to deliver a humorous or unexpected resolution, aiming to entertain and amuse those who witness or hear it.
The word "gag line" originated in the early 19th century and has its roots in the theater and comedy industry. "Gag" itself has been used since the mid-18th century to refer to a humorous or entertaining remark or action. It is believed to have derived from the English dialect word "gag" meaning "joke" or "jest", which emerged in the 16th century.
In the context of comedy and theater, a "line" refers to a piece of dialogue or a remark delivered by an actor. Therefore, a "gag line" essentially denotes a funny or punchline-oriented remark in a comedic act or script. It is often used to provoke laughter or create amusement among the audience.
