In a book chapter on oral tradition, I want to make reference in a section heading to some stereotypical set-up for a joke, where certain individuals who make regular appearances at this point in jokes walk into a bar.
Who should I use in this illustration? If this were merely for a British audience, then it would be an Englishman, a Scotsman and a Welshman, perhaps. But if one wants the allusion to be clear for a broader English-speaking audience, who are the best characters to use?
Oh, and in case you’re wondering how an actual story featuring the individuals named in the post title would continue, here it is:
An Irish priest, an English rabbi, a Welsh imam and a panda walk into a bar.
The bartended looks up at them and asks, “What is this, some kind of joke?”
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