in-joke

== English == === Etymology === From in (“having familiarity or involvement with somebody”, adjective) + joke. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɪnˌd͡ʒəʊk/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈɪnˌd͡ʒoʊk/ === Noun === in-joke (plural in-jokes) Synonym of inside joke (“a joke that is understood or meant to be understood only by certain people who are aware of the details”). Synonym: private joke ==== Usage notes ==== An in-joke can carry the connotation of being slightly sinister, particularly if the subject of the humour is unaware that people find it funny. However in situations where everyone involved is in the in group, they are harmless – if slightly confusing to anyone not party to the joke. ==== Derived terms ==== in-jokey ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== in-group Thesaurus:joke === References === === Further reading === “in-joke, n.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.