In a brief look towards the etymology of words it can be seen that on occasion a word can develop out of a phrase. A rather interesting example of which is:
Vulpine
This word's origin is an adjective pertaining to a likeness to a fox. However, from this an additional, and arguably more commonly used, definition has arisen. Cunning.
You may now have already come to the realisation as to which phase has caused this change in terminology. The phrase to which I elude is actually 'Crazy like a fox'. Its meaning being that a fox will act in an erratic manner to avoid harm and save it's self. So foxes are said to be cunning as acting crazy is part of a defence to out wit an assailant. Thus the phrase evolved becoming 'As cunning as a fox'. Or in the case of Blackadder "as cunning as a fox what used to be Professor of Cunning at Oxford University but has moved on, and is now working for the UN at the High Commission of International Cunning Planning".
To state 'you are as cunning as a fox' became a fox likeness and so cunning a synonym of vulpine.
With this new illumination on the orange creature, who may well be rummaging through your rubbish, I give credence to your next phrase. Could it too bring about a change in etymology?
Ed
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