This is one of those often-used words that we think we know what it means. I think maybe Inigo Montoya disapproves when we use it too much.
“The deadpan delivery did nothing to soften the blow of the bad news.”
Deadpan – adjective
1) showing no feeling or emotion
2) marked by an impassive matter-of-fact manner, style, or expression.
~per Merriam-Webster
The Coffee Writer 