standing joke

standing joke (plural standing jokes)

1. A customary laughing matter amongst a group of people.
   • 1904–1907 (date written), James Joyce, “The Dead”, in Dubliners, London: Grant Richards, published June 1914, →OCLC, page 223:

     The two aunts laughed heartily, too, for Gabriel's solicitude was a standing joke with them.

• inside joke