Originally a bundle of belongings wrapped in cloth for carrying. Extended to mean a mental 'burden' you carry, and in comedy, a joke you've been 'wrapping up' to deliver.
The punchlines in this crosstalk show were delivered brilliantly.
Tips
culture
In Chinese comedy (especially 相声, crosstalk), 抖包袱 ('to shake out the bundle') means to deliver the punchline. The comedian 'wraps' the joke slowly, building tension, then 'shakes it open' for the laugh. It's the Chinese equivalent of comedic timing.
