Can a 'running joke' be mean-spirited?

It can be, depending on context and the relationships involved. While often affectionate, it can cross into bullying if the target is not amused or if it's used to exclude others.

What's the difference between a 'running joke' and an 'inside joke'?

They often overlap. An 'inside joke' is understood only by a specific group. A 'running joke' is repeated over time. A running joke is often an inside joke, but an inside joke isn't necessarily recurring.

Is 'running joke' formal or informal?

It is primarily an informal, conversational term. It would be rare in very formal academic or business reports.

Can a 'running joke' be with just one other person?

Yes, it commonly exists between two people, like friends, partners, or siblings, as a shared, recurring humorous reference.

running joke

Medium

UK/ˈrʌn.ɪŋ dʒəʊk/US/ˈrʌn.ɪŋ dʒoʊk/

Informal

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A humorous story, phrase, or situation that is referenced repeatedly over time within a particular group.

A long-standing humorous reference or tradition that serves as a form of shared cultural bonding or memory within a community, family, or workplace, often originating from a past incident and evolving with each retelling.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Refers to a joke with longevity and recurrence, not a joke about the act of running. The humour often derives from the shared history and its repeated invocation rather than the intrinsic comedic value of the original event.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant lexical or semantic differences. The concept is identical in both varieties.

Connotations

Identical connotations of in-group familiarity and tradition.

Frequency

Equally common and understood in both UK and US contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

become along-standingoldfamilyofficeinside

medium

ongoingfavouritesharedprivate

weak

sillyconstantperpetualclassic

Grammar

Valency Patterns

X (among/in group) is a running jokeThe running joke is that YWe have a running joke about Z

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

in-joke

Neutral

recurring gagin-jokestanding joke

Weak

private jokerepeated humour

Vocabulary

Antonyms

one-off jokespontaneous humournovel witticism

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“[Not an idiom itself, but related to 'old chestnut' (a stale joke) and 'in-joke']”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used to describe a humorous, recurring theme in team dynamics or about a persistent company issue. ('The outdated software is a running joke in the IT department.')

Academic

Rare in formal writing; may appear in sociological or anthropological texts discussing group bonding rituals.

Everyday

Very common in social and family contexts to describe shared memories. ('Uncle John's terrible sense of direction is a running joke at family gatherings.')

Technical

Not typically used in technical fields unless discussing narrative or comedic structure.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

It's been running as a joke for years now.
That anecdote has run as a joke in our family since I was a child.

American English

It's been running as a joke for years now.
That story has run as an inside joke at the office forever.

adverb

British English

[Not standard for this noun phrase; no common adverbial use]

American English

[Not standard for this noun phrase; no common adverbial use]

adjective

British English

The running joke about his forgetfulness never gets old.
Their running joke tradition is a key part of their friendship.

American English

The running joke about her cooking is all in good fun.
They have a running joke bit about the traffic.

Examples

By CEFR Level

In my class, my red hat is a running joke.
He is always late. It is a running joke.

Among my friends, my fear of spiders is a running joke.
There's a running joke in our family about who is the worst driver.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a joke that is so popular it keeps **running** through your conversations again and again, never seeming to stop.

Conceptual Metaphor

HUMOUR IS A PERSISTENT ENTITY / SHARED HISTORY IS A SCRIPT.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid a word-for-word translation (бегущая шутка) as it would imply a joke that is physically moving. The correct conceptual equivalent is 'постоянная шутка' or 'избитая шутка' (though the latter has a slightly more negative connotation of being stale).

Common Mistakes

Using it to mean a 'fast-paced joke'. Confusing it with 'dad joke'. Incorrectly pluralising as 'running jokes' when referring to a single, continuous theme.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Ever since Mark spilled coffee on the boss, it's been a joke in the office.

Multiple Choice

What is the BEST definition of a 'running joke'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: It can be, depending on context and the relationships involved. While often affectionate, it can cross into bullying if the target is not amused or if it's used to exclude others.
: They often overlap. An 'inside joke' is understood only by a specific group. A 'running joke' is repeated over time. A running joke is often an inside joke, but an inside joke isn't necessarily recurring.
: It is primarily an informal, conversational term. It would be rare in very formal academic or business reports.
: Yes, it commonly exists between two people, like friends, partners, or siblings, as a shared, recurring humorous reference.