yes and

English

Etymology

From a well-known rule in improv acting, wherein improvised lines must (figuratively) be answered with yes and... in order to continue the scene.

Verb

yes and (third-person singular simple present yes ands, present participle yes anding, simple past and past participle yes anded)

  1. (acting) To go along with what is offered, especially in a performative context, and to accept and expand upon it; to go with the flow; to take it in stride.
    • 2011, Margaret Hicks, Chicago Comedy: A Fairly Serious History:
      If Lord Buckley made standup courageous, then Lenny Bruce “yes anded” that and ushered in standup for a new age

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