The first Irish joke
"From this period [8th century A.D.] we also have what might be called the first Irish joke. A continental scholar sitting opposite an Irishman, and playing on the Latin terms, asked aloud, 'What is the difference between an Irishman (Latin Scottus) and a drunkard (Latin sottus)?' Unfortunately for the continental scholar, the Latin question could also be understood as 'What stands between an Irishman and a drunkard?', thus allowing the quick-witted Irishman to look at his mocker and answer 'the table'."
From "Monasteries and courts : Alcuin and Offa," by Andy Orchard, in the book Beowulf & other stories : a new introduction to old English, old Icelandic and Anglo-Norman literatures, edited by Richard North and Joe Allard.
From "Monasteries and courts : Alcuin and Offa," by Andy Orchard, in the book Beowulf & other stories : a new introduction to old English, old Icelandic and Anglo-Norman literatures, edited by Richard North and Joe Allard.