‘The biggest inside joke ever told’: Trevor Noah’s hidden Oscars joke delights fans

With no host at the Oscars, this year’s ceremony had to skip on the opening stand-up routine — but there was one funny moment we all missed.

With no host at the Oscars, this year’s ceremony had to skip on the traditional stand-up routine that opens the awards night.

But there were still plenty of jokes on the night thanks to comedians like Amy Poehler and Melissa McCarthy, however, one of the show’s funniest moments was initially missed by those watching.

While introducing best picture nominee Black Panther, the Daily Show host and South African comedian Trevor Noah said an Xhosa phrase which he claimed translated to: “In times like this we are stronger when we fight together than when we try to fight apart.”

MORE: What you missed about this Oscars moment

Trevor Noah. Picture: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

But that’s not remotely what the phrase meant, with the BBC reporting that instead Noah had said: “White people don’t know I’m lying.”

Noah’s hidden Oscars gag was widely praised on Twitter, with one person describing it as “the biggest inside joke ever told”.

Trevor Noah really stood on a Global stage and told a joke only South Africans could immediately chuckle at. I know a GOAT when I see one.

— Wally (@walliesta) 25 February 2019

trevor noah pulled off the biggest inside joke ever told 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #oscars

— claire mawisa (@clairemawisa) 25 February 2019

What y’all though Trevor said and what he actually said? Yhu that was funny! Ahahahahah #Oscars pic.twitter.com/gG79vtJNq1

— Makho Ndlovu (@makhondlovu) 25 February 2019

Damn Trevor Noah #Oscars pic.twitter.com/hRHFbXxFEB

— Kayla✌️ (@olivaskayla16) 25 February 2019

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Besides his sneaky joke, the Daily Show host also took a swipe at Mel Gibson while talking about the popularity of Black Panther.

“Mel Gibson came up to me like ‘Wakanda forever’,” Noah said. “He said another word after that, but the Wakanda part was nice.”