Shatner Pause (punctuation) - A "Shatner Pause" is an insertion of an unnecessary pause while speaking or communicating through text based systems such as SMS text, chatting, or instant messaging. A Shatner Pause is defined as any sentence where two or more words are incorrectly given more emphasis and immediately followed by a pause whereupon the sentence is continued where yet another Shatner Pause may be inserted or the sentence ended.
In literary situations, such as text based communication or in print, the Shatner Pause should be designated using the double comma " ,, " instead of ellipsis " ... ". The ellipse "..." is properly used as a moment of silence. A moment of silence without defined theatrics is not defined as a Shatner Pause. Take note that the Shatner Pause in print does not carry the same grammar properties as typical punctuation in that it may interrupt a sentence without any notice but will not alter the structure of the sentence in any way.
The Shatner Pause was made famous by its namesake William Shatner. William Shatner is a professional actor and entertainer who gained popularity as Capt. Kirk on the 1960's television series Star Trek. Many examples of the Shatner Pause can be found watching the episodes.
In literary situations, such as text based communication or in print, the Shatner Pause should be designated using the double comma " ,, " instead of ellipsis " ... ". The ellipse "..." is properly used as a moment of silence. A moment of silence without defined theatrics is not defined as a Shatner Pause. Take note that the Shatner Pause in print does not carry the same grammar properties as typical punctuation in that it may interrupt a sentence without any notice but will not alter the structure of the sentence in any way.
The Shatner Pause was made famous by its namesake William Shatner. William Shatner is a professional actor and entertainer who gained popularity as Capt. Kirk on the 1960's television series Star Trek. Many examples of the Shatner Pause can be found watching the episodes.
"The night will bring,, many hardships before the sun rises." single Shatner Pause
"You are,, eating my chips,, and I want them back" example of a double Shatner Pause
"You are,, eating my chips,, and I want them back" example of a double Shatner Pause
by Ghost @ NerdNOS May 06, 2010
When you inappropriately pause before answering a serious question or during the process of answering a serious question. Coined by Jerry Sandusky when pausing after asked by Bob Costas if he was sexually attracted to young boys.
Keith gave a Sandusky pause when asked by his HR rep if he was masturbating in front of Erin Andrews.
HR rep: Keith, did you or have you ever masturbated in front of Erin Andrews?
Keith: Masturbated in front of Erin Andrews? What? Like jerk off? In front of Erin Andrews? Are you serious? Come on. Masturbate in front of Erin Andrews? No. I--what? That's silly. I would never masturbate in front of her. No. I didn't masturbate in front of her.
HR rep: Keith, did you or have you ever masturbated in front of Erin Andrews?
Keith: Masturbated in front of Erin Andrews? What? Like jerk off? In front of Erin Andrews? Are you serious? Come on. Masturbate in front of Erin Andrews? No. I--what? That's silly. I would never masturbate in front of her. No. I didn't masturbate in front of her.
by hoboscratch1 November 16, 2011
A random weird facial expression left on the screen when you pause a video. This is totally unintentional and not to be confused with a pause job.
by B Boo April 04, 2010
The abrupt halt one encounters when they realize that they are about to crap, they are not going to make it to the toilet, and the only chance they have of saving their pants is to stop in their tracks and clench their butt cheeks at tightly as possible. A hard pause is complete when the gas bubbles gurgle to the top of the stomach. A person has roughly 30 seconds after the stomach gurgle to reach the toilet, or they must prepare for a second, even more perilous, hard pause. It is unwise to try to attempt more than two hard pauses in a row. This will probably lead to disaster, and will likely require field-dressing of ones underpants (i.e., cutting through each leg with your pocket knife and tossing the soiled drawers behind the toilet).
I almost crapped my pants this morning. I had to make a hard pause in the hall on the way to the bathroom and another right in front of the toilet.
by jpblackout February 26, 2014
by Krista in SLO December 19, 2010
While talking to someone, a chick with great tits walks buy and you pause midsentence as you eye fuck her tits. Then when she is out of eye fucking range, you continue your sentence as if you had never stopped talking. That is the titty pause.
Mr. Smith was fired because he was talking to his boss and his boss' daughter walked by in a low cut shirt. Mr. Smith hadn't realized that he had just experienced a 30 second titty pause as he continued to explain to his boss why he deserved a big promotion.
by KronenV May 08, 2010
by Cryan2k2 March 15, 2016