running joke
Americannoun
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a joke or humorous allusion used recurrently in a play, film, television skit, etc., for a cumulative comic effect.
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a subject, reference, remark, etc., that is a continual source of humor.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Much has changed since “Beautiful Downtown Burbank” was a running joke on midcentury TV shows such as “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
She said the spices became a running joke.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 20, 2026
It’s become a running joke within the White House, as Trump has promised he will pardon anyone who came within 200 feet of the Oval Office.
From Slate ● Apr. 16, 2026
“The running joke is everyone moves in kindergarten and everyone leaves after 12th grade.”
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026
It became a running joke among her coworkers.
From "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground" by Rita Williams-Garcia
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
