The rimshot comes from vaudeville and early stand up comedy, where a house drummer would punctuate a comedian's joke with a snare and cymbal sting. It became known as ba dum tss from the sound itself and moved into radio, television sitcoms and cartoon sound libraries. Online it turned into a universal shorthand for a bad joke, used in memes, edits and soundboards whenever a pun needs an audible eye roll. Its short length keeps it instantly recognizable across languages and contexts.
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Classic ba dum tss drum rimshot played after a bad joke or pun. Creators use this short drum sound effect to highlight a punchline or awkward joke.
The sound is the classic ba dum tss rimshot, a quick snare hit followed by a bass drum and a crashing cymbal. It lasts just over two seconds and lands right after a line is delivered, turning an ordinary pun into a deliberate joke. The sharp drum hits create a tiny pause for laughter that never quite arrives, which makes the moment feel intentionally cheesy. That awkward timing is why it works so well for dad jokes, corny one liners and any punchline that is meant to fall flat in a funny way.
