What is meant by a "pregnant pause"?
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Sheriff Raff -Answerhag
ANSWERS: 3
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A pause which those listening expect to be broken by some significant sound or speech i.e. a pause which is expected to "give birth" to something significant.
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It is a pause filled with meaning, usually meant for the other person to guess at that meaning. Like a pregnant woman is filled with child and (before modern medicine) left to guess at whether is is a boy or girl.
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a pause that gives the impression that it will be followed by something significant http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pregnant_pause A pregnant pause (as in the classical definition, "many possibilities") is a technique of comic timing used to accentuate a comedy element, where the comic pauses at the end of a phrase to build up suspense. It's often used at the end of a comically awkward statement or in the silence after a seemingly non-comic phrase to build up a comeback. Refined and perfected by Jack Benny, the pregnant pause has become a staple of stand-up comedy. Examples: David Letterman: "Congratulations are in order for Woody Allen. He and Soon-Yi have a brand-new baby daughter." (Pause) "It’s all part of Woody’s plan to grow his own wives." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pregnant_pause
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