meaning - What does “pregnant pause” mean?


Question is self-explanatory. Just curious and want to expand my knowledge of English.



Answer



A pregnant pause is a pause that builds up suspension in the listener/viewer, for a greater dramatic (especially comic) effect of what follows after the pause.


Edit: Merriam-Webster has this:



 3. rich in significance or implication



Wikipedia has this bit specifically on comic timing:



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 by Jack Benny, the pregnant pause has become a staple of stand-up comedy.



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