It's World War I, and Paddy is bored. He loves a good fight, but he's the best brawler in seven counties, and no one will fight him.
Since there's a war on, he decides to join the British Army. Maybe the Boche will give him a fight. So he signs up, goes through basic training, and is shipped to the front...only to find himself in the middle of stalemate. It's trench warfare, and neither side is moving.
He gets an idea and goes to see his company captain.
"Beggin' yer pardon, sir, but what would you be saying is the most common name among the Jerries?"
"Hmmm, Let me think. Hans. Yes, that's it! Hans!"
Paddy goes back to his trench, carefully adjusts the sights on his Lee-Enfield, and starts calling.
"Hans?" "Ja?"
"Hans?" "Ja?"
He pots a dozen Germans this way. Then one of the Germans gets an idea, and goes to his captain.
"I beg your pardon, herr hauptman, but what would you say is the most common name amongst the verdammt Irish?"
"Let me think. Hmmm, Paddy. Ja! That's it! Paddy!"
He goes back to his trench, carefully sights his Mauser, and starts calling.
"Paddy? Oh, Paddy? Hey, Paddy?" "That you, Hans?" "Ja!"
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Dennis