Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

I have known at least since the Eisenhower administration that polecat was slang for skunk. but just got to wondering whether it's pole as in barber pole (can't imagine how a skunk would contort himself into having a twisted stripe) or if it was a flagpole (raised erect tail is a warning). or if it was some sort of slur on the folks of Poland.

Turns, it's none of those, that like Mandrake, the American version is different from the original.

The "pole" of polecat is from the french "poul" that gave us the word poultry. Like the skunk or ferret, the original polecat is a foul-smelling vicious predator that has a fondness for chickens.

So if you're mad because you didn't getr much of a raise, and your boss orders chicken instead of red meat, you have additional justification for calling him a polecat.  Mentally, that is.  Them thar are vicious creatures!