Interesting about the derivation of the Polish jokes. And I didn't know that Copernicus was Polish...for some reason, I always thought that he was Italian (or am I getting him confused with Galileo? Hmmm...anyway...).
And so we are clear, I don't think that Polish jokes are still fashionable. In fact, I think that Poles (unjustly) served as the medium of jokes that really only pointed out asinine human behaviors, which could be (and are) exhibited by any nationality. Their bravery in WWII is known and their committment to the current action is well-noted, particularly by the people really in charge (read: NOT the French, Germans, or Russians).
Yes, Copernicus is a Latinized form of his original name. Ooops, I also forgot to mention Koziuski who aided General Washington during the Revolution. I know you weren't saying Polish jokes are still fashionable; I was just trying to say that they were once really popular around these parts back in the 70's but now you never hear them.