{"id":8973,"date":"2022-12-30T08:00:18","date_gmt":"2022-12-30T08:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/?p=8973"},"modified":"2023-07-27T19:22:23","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T19:22:23","slug":"how-to-be-witty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/blog\/how-to-be-witty\/","title":{"rendered":"Zingers! &#8211; How To Be A Great Emcee"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RgwBb0FEvAI\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cEveryone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-Proverbs 15:23 (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Living Translation<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About 150 years ago, before people watched YouTube, they watched debates. The Lincoln\/Douglas debates were very important politically. They were also very entertaining.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Stephen Douglas accused Abe Lincoln of being two-faced, Lincoln responded with a classic \u201czinger.\u201d He said, \u201cIf I had another face, do you think I\u2019d wear this one?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an event host, you will want to showcase your wit. When you learn what a \u201czinger\u201d is\u2013 and how and when to use it\u2013 you will be giving your audience a verbal treat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With Twitter, you are familiar with \u201ctweets.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zingers are more like\u2026treats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hostesscakes.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hostess<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes some delicious cupcakes that are called \u201cZingers.\u201d But what exactly is a \u201czinger\u201d in the context of public <a href=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/hire-an-mc-for-corporate-events\/\">speaking and emceeing<\/a>?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One dictionary describes &#8220;zinger&#8221; as \u201ca striking or amusing remark.\u201d Collins Dictionary says that a zinger is a \u201cwitty remark or something that is lively, interesting, amusing, or impressive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s a good definition!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you add zingers into your repertoire (and look up repartee, too\u2013 another fun one to know when it comes to the words you use), wonderful things happen. Let\u2019s unpack it a little more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>See Related:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/blog\/you-how-to-be-a-great-emcee\/\">You &#8211; How To Be A Great Emcee<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>A Zinger Is\u2026<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Short and to the point<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like most good one-liners, there\u2019s typically a set-up and a punch line. But get this: usually the \u201cset-up\u201d is what\u2019s happening during the event, and the zinger is the punch line itself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8979\" src=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/How-to-be-witty-unexpected-connections-unexpected-associations-funny-people.jpg\" alt=\"How to be witty unexpected connections unexpected associations funny people\" width=\"1350\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/How-to-be-witty-unexpected-connections-unexpected-associations-funny-people.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/How-to-be-witty-unexpected-connections-unexpected-associations-funny-people-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/How-to-be-witty-unexpected-connections-unexpected-associations-funny-people-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/How-to-be-witty-unexpected-connections-unexpected-associations-funny-people-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/How-to-be-witty-unexpected-connections-unexpected-associations-funny-people-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, if someone in the program was talking about houses, you might add in Zsa Zsa Gabor\u2019s line:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking of houses, Zsa Zsa Gabor once said, \u2018I\u2019m a wonderful housekeeper\u2013 every time I marry a man, I keep the house.\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You get the idea. The objective of a zinger is to interject quick, playful humor into the program (at appropriate times, of course).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use what\u2019s happening at the moment to set the table for your short and to-the-point witty remark.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Sarcastic (usually)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must be careful here because <a href=\"https:\/\/kids.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/frym.2018.00056\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sarcasm<\/a> often has a sting to it. Whenever possible, you want the zinger to be self-inflicted, not aimed at the audience, and certainly not aimed at the meeting planner or other speakers you\u2019ll be sharing the stage with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the audience likes you and trusts you, you can get away with a touch of sarcasm. But again, be very careful and make sure not to say anything that might offend anyone in attendance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow the rule I\u2019ve been repeating throughout this book: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When in doubt, leave it out.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><b>Said at just the right time<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you may know, one of the crucial elements of humor is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">timing.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You don\u2019t want to force a zinger into an event.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You want to have it ready in your mind (or on a 3&#215;5 card) and insert it if, and only if, it adds a spark to the moment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of a zinger as a flavoring on a great meal: it\u2019s not necessary, but it enhances the taste.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>When You Learn to Use Zingers:<\/b><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will feel ready to insert hilarity into any program.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will wow the audience with a well-placed one-liner.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will develop a good reputation as a <a href=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/blog\/what-is-the-role-of-the-master-of-ceremonies\/\">funny master of ceremonies<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few things to keep in mind as you begin to practice adding these quick-witted remarks into your work as an emcee:<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>When You Learn How To Be Witty, Remember&#8230;<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>What a witty remark looks\/sounds like to an audience<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The impression the attendees should have when you share a zinger is, \u201cHow in the world did he come up with <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8976\" src=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/big-deal-social-skills-how-to-be-witty-wit-conversation-most-people-wit-conversation-life.jpg\" alt=\"Big deal social skills how to be witty wit conversation most people wit conversation life\" width=\"1350\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/big-deal-social-skills-how-to-be-witty-wit-conversation-most-people-wit-conversation-life.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/big-deal-social-skills-how-to-be-witty-wit-conversation-most-people-wit-conversation-life-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/big-deal-social-skills-how-to-be-witty-wit-conversation-most-people-wit-conversation-life-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/big-deal-social-skills-how-to-be-witty-wit-conversation-most-people-wit-conversation-life-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/big-deal-social-skills-how-to-be-witty-wit-conversation-most-people-wit-conversation-life-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The truth is, you may have delivered that particular zinger dozens of times before, but to the audience, it feels like you said just the right thing at just the right time. To them, it will feel like a very spontaneous remark\u2013 which makes it all the more amusing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Why you should have some zingers ready to roll off your tongue<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I probably have access to about a hundred zingers that I\u2019ve used in the last 30 years of my career, but I find myself going back to a few favorites over and over again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It gives me a sense of freedom and confidence knowing that I can draw upon them as needed, almost like a Rolodex of clever remarks in my mind.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can practice zingers even when you\u2019re not onstage. I want to encourage you to try them out in your work environment, at home, or even in some of your email exchanges with friends or coworkers. This is how you will know whether they work!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Where to find zingers<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I published an entire book called <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books\/about\/Comedy_Comes_Clean.html?id=8xkLAAAACAAJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comedy Comes Clean<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that\u2019s packed full of zingers. The subtitle is \u201cA Hilarious Collection of Wholesome Jokes, Quotes, and One-Liners.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many sources for one-liners that are apropos for various situations. I recommend that you collect books filled with short quotations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aphorisms are also great to use. The difference between an aphorism and a one-liner is that generally with an aphorism, there\u2019s some embedded wisdom in the quotation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One instance of this might be director Billy Wilder\u2019s line, \u201cIf you\u2019re going to tell people the truth, you better be funny or they\u2019ll kill you.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>When to say them (and when not to!)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the worst things you can do is to attempt to cram a witty remark into a situation that doesn\u2019t call for it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I was once invited to preside at a memorial service and the spouse of the deceased asked me to throw in a lot of jokes. As I was reading the room (filled with a lot of mourners), it was obvious to me that weaving in a bunch of zingers was not appropriate for the setting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best time to share a zinger is when the audience least expects it, but you also need a situation in which something has been said or done onstage to set you up for your witty remark. It\u2019s a delicate balance that you will master with practice!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8978\" src=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Eye-contact-conversations-wit-how-to-be-witty-conversation-wit.jpg\" alt=\"Eye contact conversations wit how to be witty conversation wit\" width=\"1350\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Eye-contact-conversations-wit-how-to-be-witty-conversation-wit.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Eye-contact-conversations-wit-how-to-be-witty-conversation-wit-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Eye-contact-conversations-wit-how-to-be-witty-conversation-wit-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Eye-contact-conversations-wit-how-to-be-witty-conversation-wit-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Eye-contact-conversations-wit-how-to-be-witty-conversation-wit-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" \/><\/span><b>Please note: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the best zingers are lines you have already learned and memorized, but sometimes you say just the right thing at just the right second by trusting your instincts. Some of the best zingers ever created had to start somewhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Example: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About 75 years ago, a server in a nightclub dropped a tray and it crashed very loudly to the ground. The comedian on stage said, \u201cOh, just set that anywhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He got a huge laugh, and stand-up comedians have been stealing that line for decades ever since.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may come up with a wonderful on-the-spot zinger that becomes an ongoing part of your repertoire.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How witty people deliver a zinger<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember that zingers are not stories. They\u2019re not long jokes. They\u2019re not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.killingmylobster.com\/what-is-sketch-comedy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">skits or sketches<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They usually consist of only one or two lines that pack a punch, so you want to deliver them in a punchy way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8977\" src=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/conversation-person-things-to-say-ideas.jpg\" alt=\"Conversation person things to say ideas\" width=\"1350\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/conversation-person-things-to-say-ideas.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/conversation-person-things-to-say-ideas-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/conversation-person-things-to-say-ideas-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/conversation-person-things-to-say-ideas-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/conversation-person-things-to-say-ideas-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t deliver a zinger under your breath. It\u2019s very important that the audience hears every word, or the zinger won\u2019t land. Make your brief comment, pause, then POW\u2013 hit them with the zinger.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that we have covered what makes a zinger effective and how to deliver them, let\u2019s go over some specific examples of some of my favorites.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Bonus:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/blog\/x-factors-how-to-be-a-great-emcee\/\">X Factors &#8211; How To Be A Great Emcee<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Examples of Zingers!<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>When dismissing attendees who have just been served lots of meals and snacks:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ZINGER: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Until we eat again\u2026have a great night!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>When the audience has just witnessed an inspiring performer or speaker:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ZINGER: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Well, if that doesn\u2019t light your fire\u2026your wood is wet!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>When a professional musician or other artist demonstrates an incredible skill:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ZINGER: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just imagine what he will sound like when he goes full-time!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>When you are reminding attendees about tomorrow\u2019s start time:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ZINGER: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be on time. Don\u2019t make the mistake I did. I asked the front desk for a wake-up call. The guy said, \u201cOK. You\u2019re overweight and you need a new haircut.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>When you make a mistake on stage:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ZINGER: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hey, I put the FUN in dysfunctional!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>When you are moving donors into the fundraising part of the program:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ZINGER: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My wife and I recently raised our standard of giving.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>When you are inviting the audience to make a commitment:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ZINGER: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I always give 100%. Unless I\u2019m donating blood.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As I mentioned earlier, you have to be careful with zingers. You don\u2019t want them to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.masterclass.com\/articles\/guide-to-comedic-timing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">badly timed<\/a>, forced, or in poor taste.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8981\" src=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Realize-respond-watch-matter-worse-teach-hard-work.jpg\" alt=\"Realize respond watch matter worse teach hard work\" width=\"1350\" height=\"901\" srcset=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Realize-respond-watch-matter-worse-teach-hard-work.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Realize-respond-watch-matter-worse-teach-hard-work-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Realize-respond-watch-matter-worse-teach-hard-work-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Realize-respond-watch-matter-worse-teach-hard-work-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Realize-respond-watch-matter-worse-teach-hard-work-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must be able to read the room and have a certain level of confidence that your audience will be amused by what you\u2019re about to say. Let\u2019s talk briefly about a few other mistakes to avoid when delivering your zingers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Mistakes to Avoid<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>1. Using too many in your program<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zingers hit so hard because they are rare and unexpected. If you start peppering in too many, your audience will come to expect them, and your zingers will lose their impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t want to be overly \u201ccheesy,\u201d for lack of a better word. Limit your zingers to occasions where they will really <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pop.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Using insulting or inappropriate one-liners<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This will have the opposite effect you\u2019re looking for. As the event MC, your role is to delight attendees, not to disturb them. It wouldn\u2019t be appropriate to make the leaders of the company the butt of a joke, for instance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another important note: It\u2019s probably a good idea to stay away from content that is overly political or religious. The last thing you want to do is offend your audience or embarrass the organization that <a href=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/hire-an-mc-for-corporate-events\/\">hired you to emcee<\/a> their event.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Delivering a zinger with passive tone and body language<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zingers are most effective when you deliver them properly. Their impact comes not only from the words but from your tone and open body language as well. A great line needs to be delivered with confidence!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8982\" src=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sense-puns-listen-speak-write-advice-friend-hear-relaxed-listening-tips-tips.jpg\" alt=\"Sense puns listen speak write advice friend hear relaxed listening tips tips\" width=\"1350\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sense-puns-listen-speak-write-advice-friend-hear-relaxed-listening-tips-tips.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sense-puns-listen-speak-write-advice-friend-hear-relaxed-listening-tips-tips-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sense-puns-listen-speak-write-advice-friend-hear-relaxed-listening-tips-tips-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sense-puns-listen-speak-write-advice-friend-hear-relaxed-listening-tips-tips-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sense-puns-listen-speak-write-advice-friend-hear-relaxed-listening-tips-tips-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you are hosting a live meeting or making any presentation, never underestimate the power of inserting a well-timed quote, one-liner, or zinger!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These short, funny, statements will help you build rapport with your audience and make you look wonderfully witty in the process. And to your listeners, a zinger can feel like a burst of spoken sunlight that brightens the event!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Keep Reading:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/blog\/introduction-the-history-of-emcees-how-to-be-a-great-emcee\/\">Introduction: The History Of Emcees &#8211; How To Be A Great Emcee<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is an excerpt from<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/\"> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adam Christing<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018s forthcoming book, \u201cHow To Be A Great Emcee: The A to Z Guide to Hosting Events\u201d by America\u2019s #1 Master of Ceremonies. Follow along as new chapters get posted to this blog category each week.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cEveryone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!\u201d -Proverbs 15:23 (New Living Translation) About 150 years ago, before people watched YouTube, they watched debates. The Lincoln\/Douglas&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8980,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[52,46,63,92],"class_list":{"0":"post-8973","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-how-to-be-a-great-emcee","8":"tag-funny-mc","9":"tag-funny-speakers","10":"tag-how-to","11":"tag-how-to-be-a-great-emcee"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How To Be Witty When You&#039;re A Corporate Emcee | Adam Christing<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/blog\/how-to-be-witty\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How To Be Witty When You&#039;re A Corporate Emcee | Adam Christing\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cEveryone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!\u201d -Proverbs 15:23 (New Living Translation) About 150 years ago, before people watched YouTube, they watched debates. 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