I'll bet the ink on the FML wasn't dry before five different people wrote to
correct me about the origin of polecat, each one citing various Modern
French dictionaries for defining polecat as "putois." That is all and well,
but I was discussing the origin of the English word, polecat, not the modern
French translation.  What I should have done was give the history of the
word, like I did for ferret.  So here it is:
 
The Modern English polecat comes from the Middle English polcat (spelling
variations include poulcat and poulchat) which comes from combining the
Middle French poule (hen), pol (cock) or poul (poultry) with the Middle
English cat or the Middle French chat (cat).  Middle French Poul comes from
the Old French poul which come from the Late Latin pullus (young of an
animal or chicken).  Middle English cat comes from the Old English catt
which is attributted to the Old French Chat which comes from the Late Latin
cattus (cat).  Polecat, in either English, French or Latin, essentially
refers to a carnivore that raids henhouses; literally a "poultrycat."
 
So does this also mean Chat Rooms are found in Cat houses?  Do witches use
spellcheckers?  Do the Fish and Game prove the existence of Satan?
 
In reference to my joke post, how about:
 
The Three Maskateers (Three French Ferrets poke fun at each other with
swords)
 
Treasure Hidin' (Pirate Ferrets, arrgh)
 
Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Scents but Where Afraid to Ask
 
Bob C and the 21 MO Pool Cats
[Posted in FML issue 2060]