Why in old comedy newspaper strips (Like Mutt and Jeff… sort of) when someone cracks a joke or a witty, the other person usually faints?

Question

\*witty response

I know it is called “PLOP!”, learned that from a Chilean comic strip, but i don’t seem to find out why.

In: Other

Answer 1

I don’t know for sure, but if I had a guess:

1. It’s an immediate reaction to a punchline that doesn’t take up a lot of panel space

2. Because of 1, it’s also easier and faster to draw

3. It can itself become a running gag, as you mentioned the Plop

4. Because it’s so iconic, you immediately know what it means and where the punchline is supposed to be