A minister, a priest, and a rabbi are invited speak at a dinner for a group of deaf people. The man who invited them, who is not deaf, promises to interpret for them.

On the appointed evening there is a snowstorm. Many people arrive a bit late, but the dinner goes ahead as scheduled. By the time the dinner is finished, the minister, priest, and rabbi are getting a bit nervous, because the interpreter isn't there.

The minister's cell phone rings. It's the interpreter. He explains that he can't make it, and the three speakers should go ahead without him. "How can we do that?" asks the minister. "We don't know any sign language!"

"Don't worry," says the interpreter. "Just go slowly and make up your own signs. These people are intelligent; they'll figure out what you mean. And they're not expecting anything profound. They just want a few laughs. As soon as you make them laugh, you can stop."

After conferring, the minister, priest and rabbi reluctantly agree to give it a try. The minister volunteers to go first. He stands up and makes a few gestures. The audience immediately laughs, and he sits down.

"What did you say?" the other two ask him.

"Nothing special," he answers. "I just began a speech the way I always do. I said, 'Ladies...' (He holds up his left hand and makes a circle between his thumb and first finger.) '...and gentlemen....'" (With his right hand, he holds up one finger.)

The rabbi offers to go next. He stands up, makes a few gestures, the audience laughs heartily, and he sits down.

"What did you say to them?" the others ask.

"Not much," answers the rabbi. "I just began a speech the way I always do. I said, 'Ladies...' (He makes the same sign the minister did.) '...and gentlemen,...' (Ditto.) '...it gives me great pleasure...'" (He inserts his right finger into the circle and moves it in and out rapidly.)

Finally the priest gets up, makes a few gestures, and the audience howls. He sits down and the minister and rabbi immediately ask him, "What did you say?"

The priest said, "All I did was begin a speech the way I always do. I said, 'Ladies...' (Ditto.) '...and gentlemen...' (Ditto.) '...unaccustomed as I am....'" (He aims his finger at the circle and misses!)