The term *gigas* has been used in the mink industry for a very long time to
denote a mink of exceptional size.  It is derived from the word *giga* (as
in gigabyte).
 
>On another subject of the jowly, bulldog-faced ferrets, referred to as
>demigigas or demi gigas (should it be one word or two words and in either
>case, why?)
 
Mr. McKay does not use the word to *describe* a ferret but a *line of
ferrets* as I believe Bill said in his first explanation.
 
I saw the first Demi Gigas and have offspring from him as well.
 
Doug went to register the ferret with FURO.  Being in the mink business, he
was familiar with the term *gigas* and this animal was large and well put
together so he used the name gigas.  This was a ferret (not quite a mink,
but in the same family) hence the term *demi*.  Voila!  Demi Gigas.
 
It is other people who have taken the word and used it incorrectly, even
claiming it is a breed.
 
>Mr. Doug McKay (as per Zen) may be credited for originating this word, for
>what does it mean?  To you and to me could it mean simply a "some kind of
>a plant," as a demigod is "some kind of a god?" Pray tell, what's it got
>to do with ferrets?...
>
>Does it not seem to you that we are being absurd and somewhat ignorant in
>using such terms that seem to be totally irrelevant in describing a
>somewhat murkily defined "kind" of ferret?  Which of you really knows
>whereof thou speakest, huh?
 
I find it hard to believe that as long as you have been in business you
have *never* called the offspring of a particular line by the original
sire's name.  Doug has no control over how ohter people choose to use the
name or what type of *twist* they put on it.
 
All he ever did was register a ferret with FURO that was named Demi Gigas.
When that ferret had offspring he would tell people that the ferret was
from his *Demi Gigas line*.
 
He has never in all the years I have known him EVER spoke of them as a
*breed* of ferret.  That honor belongs to someone else.
[Posted in FML issue 2652]