running gag
Say it: RUN-ing gag /ˌrʌnɪŋ ˈɡaɡ/ · noun
What “running gag” means
A joke that keeps coming back.
More precisely: A joke that keeps recurring throughout a show, story or friendship.
Example: “His terrible parking became a running gag in our team's group chat.”
When to use it
Use it for a repeated joke in a programme, story or friendship, especially one people enjoy recognising each time.
Memory trick
The joke keeps running through the story, turning up again and again.
Similar words
in-joke, recurring joke
Quick check
In every episode, the same detective loses his hat in a different ridiculous way. What is this repeated joke?
a running commentary or a running gag?
Show the answer
a running gag
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