proverbial idiot vs. provincial idiot

[Timoxa]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #90 "High School Vocabulary", question 8

There was absolutely no question about it he was the ......... idiot such as you'd find in one of those old farces.

(a) provincial
(b) provided
(c) proverbial
(d) protective

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #90 "High School Vocabulary", answer 8

There was absolutely no question about it he was the proverbial idiot such as you'd find in one of those old farces.

Correct answer: (c) proverbial
_________________________

Why proverbeial?

Timoxa