It's not as funny out of context, of course. My boyfriend has one of the most Scottish-sounding names imaginable ("Bent nose Bent mouth", only in Gaelic), which I'd only just mentioned, and the ruddy complexion and white (once blond) hair to match.

What it led to was five minutes of explosive laughter from everyone at the table after which MA said, "No, really, is he?" and set off another two minutes of general hysteria.