stuck

A shtick is a comic theme or gimmick. The word entered the English language from the Yiddish shtik (שטיק), related to German Stück, Polish sztuka, Cyrillic штука (all ultimately from Proto-Germanic *stukkiją), all meaning "piece", "thing" or "theatre play"; Theaterstück is the German word for play (and is a synonym of Schauspiel, literally "viewing play" in contrast to Singspiel).
The English word piece is sometimes used in a similar context (for example, a musical piece). In stand-up comedy context a near equivalent term is a "bit". Another variant is "bits of business" or just "bits". Shtick may refer to an adopted persona, usually for comedy performances, that is maintained consistently (though not necessarily exclusively) across the performer's career. In this usage, the recurring personalities adopted by Laurel and Hardy through all of their many comedy films (although they often played characters with different names and occupations) would qualify as their shtick. A comedian might maintain several different shticks of this sort, particularly if appearing in a variety show encouraging development of multiple characters, such as Saturday Night Live.
In common usage, the word shtick has also come to mean any talent, style, habit, or other eccentricity for which a person is particularly well known, even if not intended for comedic purposes. For example, a person who is known locally for an ability to eat dozens of hot dogs quickly might say that it was his shtick. Among Orthodox Jews, "shtick" can also refer to wedding shtick, in which wedding guests entertain the bride and groom through dancing, costumes, juggling, and silliness.
Many fictional characters have more thematic shticks. This is particularly true of comic book villains, who are almost always seen wearing a particular costume and behaving in ways that are consistent with a bizarre and psychotic obsession. The supervillains of Batman (collectively known as the Rogues Gallery) are especially notorious for this (see below). There are also many professional wrestlers who deliver memorable catchphrases, and/or enter arenas performing signature gestures to the tune of thematically appropriate songs, causing crowds to laugh and cheer (see below).
Because of its roots in show business, shtick has taken on the connotation of a contrived and often-used act. For this reason, journalists and commentators often apply the word disparagingly to stock replies from politicians.

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  1. F

    Charge port lock stuck

    The charge socket on the car appears to have a locking pin at the 12 o'clock position that deploys to prevent the plug being removed. Mine appears to have become confused and is deployed without the plug inserted so I cannot properly insert the charge plug. Is there a way to reset this or...
  2. salty

    X Mower, nearly got stuck! 🙁

    Mowing today, nearly got stuck, thank god for 4WD and even then it was a very close call. Just managed to get meself out. Apart from being a tad embarrassing normally wouldn't bother, as shit happens. But it was nearly going home time! 🙄🙂 Think it might need a wash! 🤔
  3. Jeroen

    Any way to suppress the charge door open message?

    One month ago my charging door was frozen stuck and I contacted MG Service to open it. While they dus manage to get it open, allowing me to charge, they also broke something in the interior mechanism and it won’t stay closed anymore when the car is unlocked. My dealer has ordered a replacement...
  4. crispyjay

    Frozen flap

    Bit embarrassing today… Drove 60miles to office, arrived and pulled in to charge so I could get home later. Charging flap would not open. Pressed, thumped, wiggled but no joy. 5litres of warm water later and still wouldn’t open. Lock car, unlock car x10 but nothing worked. Called AA and...
  5. K

    Accelerator pedal stuck down!

    On my way to work I accelerated at a roundabout, not especially hard and quickly realised it was continuing to accelerate despite me not wanting to. I was able to use the brake but every time I took my foot off the brake it accelerated alarmingly quickly. I should point out I didn't have any...
  6. M

    Car stuck ON and wont shut off

    When trying to start charging today, it failed. when i was going to move over and try another one, the HV battery disclnnected, and then the car is stuck in ON-mode, but cant drive. Lights are on, infotainment panel is working. But cant turn it off. Any ideas?
  7. N

    Unable to open charge port.

    Winter! Currently unable to charge as the door to the charging port is stuck. Presumably frozen somehow. We are completely unable to open it. Any ideas? We have tried spraying in de-icer, heating it with a radiator under a blanket. Nothing works. It’s -5 and not expected to go above zero for...
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