A running gag is a joke, funny act or funny event in, for example, a movie, book or television series that recovers every time and often because of that repetition as being considered funny by some.
It's an English term with literally the meaning of running (repeated) joke. An example is a recurring statement, the so-called catchphrase, but also certain or situations.
In the magazine Onze Taal, the term 'groeigrap' was introduced as a Dutch language alternative to running gag. However, this term has not yet been found in the general language, as well as other proposed translations such as 'repetition'.
A well-known example is the phrase Listen very carefully, I will say this only once from the British comedy 'Allo' Allo !, each time pronounced by the French resistance leader if new information has to be given.
wiki
