I'm looking for the most comedic way of answering the question, "How did you do that?" I know all magicians are faced with this question. Some of mine that I use:

"Very carefully."

"Can you keep a secret? So can I."

"...quickly AND efficiently..." (with a )

Here are some I had recorded:

My personal favorite is the first one. It always get laughs.

Can you keep a secret? [Yes] So can I!

I did that very well thank you. (Could add on, “Don’t you think?”)

That my friend is misdirection.

What do I look like, the masked magician?

Camera tricks.

The question isn't how… it's why.

I'll tell you when you're older.

Through years of practice and self denial.

I wouldn't have a clue, but when I find out I'll let you know.

If I had one cent for every time I have been asked that question, I'd have $3.48 by now.

I don't know—I wasn't watching.

You like that? It is one of my favorites too!

If I told you I would have to marry you.

Do what?

Render them temporarily confused and move on, something along the lines of:

"How did you do that?!!"

"I chased a cat once."

"It's all done with miiiiiiiiroooooorrrrsss...."

'Darn'd if I know!'

'That's what I'd like to know!'

'My mother was bitten by gypsies.'

'That's what the casinos would like to know!'

'What? I'm just as amazed as you are!!'

'Here's my room number...'

'I was taught that trick by the greatest magician in the world! And I swore never to tell...'

'I spent two weeks in India one day...'

Doug
http://LionPoint.com

Audience: "Do that again!"

Magi: "Why? I did it right the first time."

--or---

MAGI: "Sure, watch again..." then show them a trick with a similar ending but a completely different methodology.

Very nice!!! That will going into the act, lol.

Matt

"Very well, thank you!" (An oldie but a goodie.)

"I could tell you but I'd have to kill you." (Don't try with kids!)

"I was about to ask you the same question!"

"I spent $60 at Ellusionist.com and I still don't know!"

Craig

I've always used this one:

"You know, that's why I got into magic in the first place...to figure out how I did that."

Rick

I always liked; "Y'know, I'm never quite sure."

VERY WELL!! This gets the biggest laughs for me. I use to make it longer saying, but this straight to the point.

Sociological Engineering...Any other questions before we continue?

Or...

I have a Q and A session on the 31st of November right here in this restaurant if you wanna find out how magic really works. Be there or here.

I told a guy, "I'll tell you, but then I'll have to kill you." He said, "OK then, just tell my mother-in-law."

Did you kill her?
Wait.

Did you actually charge for that?
Good.

It is a bit sad that we all do the same gags!

:(

(With children) "It wasn't me that did it, it was you..."

Check out the "Words we use" forum for a larger selection of lines.

"I did it in accordance with the hyperbolic equation of the paraboloid formula that says cosecant Y is equals to tangent Z."

I found that line in a John Scarne book eons ago, and I have been using it over the years.

Leo
Manila, Philippines

Studying computer engineering and seeing math all over the day I don't think this would be good for ME!

I always preferred the, "Why? I did it right the first time," line.

Metius