deadpan

This term describes a specific type of comedic irony where the humor arises from the contrast between a shocking or absurd statement and a completely blank facial expression. It is most commonly associated with dry wit and sarcasm, where the speaker pretends to be serious to heighten the absurdity of the situation.

As a noun, it refers to the technique itself. While it can be used to describe a genuine lack of emotion, in most social contexts, it implies a deliberate performance. It is distinct from being "stoic" or "emotionless," as those terms suggest a personality trait or a reaction to hardship, whereas deadpan is typically a tool for humor or social manipulation.