A double-take is a
nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication is the transmission of messages or signals through a nonverbal platform such as eye contact (oculesics), body language (kinesics), social distance (proxemics), touch (Haptic communication, haptics), voice (prosody (lingui ...
in which a second look is taken at something with a marked physical reaction such as shock, astonishment, or amazement.
In
theatrical
Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The performers may communic ...
terms, a "take" is a physical reaction to seeing something.
Comic characters often perform a double take because of the absurd world in which they are performing, and their audiences are often in a similar position when they have had an instant to reflect on a comic performance.
With correct timing, a double-take seldom fails to get a laugh.
The double-take has probably been in the
comedians
A comedian (feminine comedienne) or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting foolishly (as in slapstick), or employing prop comedy. A comedian who ...
repertoire for centuries, and the term has been in general use since at least the 1940s.
References
Comedy
Nonverbal communication
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