What is "dry" ridicule or "dry" wit?

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I know what ridicule or wit are. But what does adding the word "dry" to that mean?

I've always understood "dry" humor to mean it doesn't rely on antics or a comedian laughing on his own to stimulate a response.

If I'm correct, actors like Bob Newhart are a good example of dry humor. He plays a classic "straight man" where he doesn't tell a joke for the sake of telling a joke...rather how he says something is just funny given the circumstances and he does it with a straight, expressionless demeanor.

It can be similar to sarcasm being funny...saying something that is so contradictory, but without that snide tone of voice that telegraphs that it's intended as mockery, but it is picked up on as intended as subtle humor.

I characterize dry humor as being able to say something incredibly funny while giving the appearance that you haven't. This kind of comedic delivery is also known as deadpan. Dry humor is usually much more subtle than other forms and doesn't really depend on slapstick, physical situations, or vulgarity.

Thanks you two.

And so dry ridicule would work in the same way, perhaps you are mocking someone without letting them know that you are mocking them maybe?

EDIT: Love that switch avatar.

A lot of times this relates directly to sarcasm, especially when people use sarcasm without a sarcastic tone of voice or an eyeroll (or other obvious physical cue that they don't mean the utterance literally).

Thanks, maryshap.