a joke among

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a joke among" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is considered humorous or amusing within a specific group of people. Example: "The incident became a joke among the friends, who couldn't stop laughing about it for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We developed a joke among the group.

The New York Times

It was a joke among the prisoners.

The Guardian

It became a joke among our friends".

The New York Times

But it was a joke among the youth.

Columbia University

There is a joke among doctors that they should be added to drinking water.

Harvard University

A few years ago Alitalia, the Italian airline, was a joke among travelers.

The New York Times

There's a joke among baseball reporters: We pray for quick games and good stories.

The New York Times

There's a joke among Asian Americans that people think we all look the same.

The Washington Post

In fact, the news vacuum is already something of a joke among reporters.

The New York Times

A joke among Capitol insiders is that Ms. Davis is the only state politician with better hair than Mr. Perry.

The New York Times

By that time, Manafort's apparent absence from Washington had become something of a joke among his friends.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a joke among", ensure that the context clearly defines the group of people who share the joke. This adds clarity and relevance to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a joke among" when the humor is not genuinely shared or understood by the group you're referring to. Ensure the humor is actually 'among' them, not just observed by you.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a joke among" functions as a noun phrase that modifies a subject by indicating it is a shared source of humor within a particular group. This is evident in examples provided by Ludwig where it describes shared experiences or understandings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a joke among" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something humorous that is shared within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the group and the shared understanding of the humor. While acceptable in many settings, more formal alternatives may be suitable for highly formal writing. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "a joke among" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common joke within

Replaces 'among' with 'within' and emphasizes the shared nature of the joke inside a specific group.

a running gag for

Substitutes 'joke' with 'running gag', indicating a joke that's been repeated over time.

an inside joke with

Emphasizes the exclusive or private nature of the joke.

a shared laugh among

Focuses on the laughter or amusement experienced collectively.

a source of amusement to

More formal, replaces 'joke' with 'source of amusement' and 'among' with 'to'.

a humorous anecdote for

Replaces 'joke' with 'humorous anecdote', implying a short and amusing story.

something they found funny

Simplifies the phrase to a more straightforward expression of shared amusement.

a point of levity between

More formal and emphasizes the lighter mood the joke brings.

a mutual jest among

Replaces 'joke' with 'jest' emphasizing playfulness and the word 'mutual' means shared.

a banter topic for

Replaces 'joke' with 'banter topic' means light and teasing conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "a joke among" in a sentence?

You can use "a joke among" to describe something humorous shared within a specific group. For example, "It became "a joke among" the programmers that their code always worked on the first try".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a joke among"?

Alternatives include "an inside joke with", "a running gag for", or "something they found funny". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a joke among" in formal writing?

While "a joke among" is generally acceptable, consider the formality of your audience. In highly formal contexts, you might opt for a more sophisticated phrase like "a source of amusement to".

What does it mean when something is described as "a joke among" a certain group?

It means that the group finds something humorous or ironic about a particular situation or topic, and it's become a recurring source of amusement for them.