in-joken.
/ˈɪndʒəʊk/, U.S. /ˈɪnˌdʒoʊk/ A joke enjoyed or appreciated by only a limited group of people. Cf. in-reference n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > [noun] > jest or pleasantry > a jest or joke > other types of jest or joke
dry biscuit jest1600
kniff-knaff1683
private joke1789
jokelet1847
inside joke1849
wheeze1864
one-liner1904
lavatory joke1931
lavatory humour1935
sight gag1957
cruellie1959
in-joke1964
elephant joke1966
1964 Economist 31 Oct. 518/2 Professor Yamey..has published the first independent assessment of the Resale Prices Act..for those who like in-jokes.
a1966 M. Allingham Cargo of Eagles (1968) vi. 82 Those who can read between the lines will find some amusement at what are called ‘in-jokes’ today.
1966 Punch 4 May 657/1 The dialogue peppered with British upper-class in-joke slang of the most blatant appeal to Lancashire slum-dwellers and Turkish primary schools.
1971 M. Babson Cover-up Story ii. 24 They were laughing at me... It was in-joke laughter, and I was on the outside looking in.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1964