Across the Language Gap

Mr Goldberg, from Pinsk, coming to America, shared a table in the ship's dining-room with a Frenchman. Mr Goldberg could speak neither French nor English; the Frenchman could speak neither Russian nor Yiddish.

The first day out, the Frenchman approached the table, bowed and said, "Bon appetit!''

Mr Goldberg, puzzled for a moment, bowed back and replied "Goldberg.''

Every day at every meal the same routine occurred. On the fifth day, another passenger took Goldberg aside. "Listen, the Frenchman isn't telling you his name. He's saying `Good Appetite,' that's what `Bon appetit!' means.''

At the next meal, Mr Goldberg, beaming, bowed to the Frenchman and said, "Bon appetit!''

And the Frenchman, beaming, replied: "Goldberg!''

(via Phil’s Phun)