[Publib] Re: Hackles

[Fred Beisser]

My entomological dictionary for words that bug me says the following 
about raise one's hackles:

> Metaphoric extension found in raise one's hackles (as a cock does when 
> angry) is first recorded 1881.


See http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=hackles&searchmode=none

Fred Beisser
Trustee
www.elbertcountylibrary.org


Joe Schallan wrote:

>Hackle can be singular, of course, and refers to
>a small-scale unauthorized access to, or
>vandalization of, a computer system.
>
>Example:  Breaking into the ALA server and
>replacing what is there with malicious code
>that makes all links self-referential so that ALA's
>system spins into endless-loop apoplexy
>would be a major hack.  Breaking into the
>ALA server and replacing a few, selected links
>in the RUSA section so that they go to the
>Focus on the Family website and Pat
>Buchanan's weblog would be a mere
>hackle.
>
>Not hackette.  That's a female hacker.
>(Though "ette" suffixes are hopelessly
>retrograde and I discourage their use
>to designate female instances of
>anything.)
>
>Glad we've cleared this up.
>
>Still doesn't explain "raising one's
>hackles," though.
>
>J. Schallan, Esq.
>
>PS.  At last!  A word that rhymes with
>"grackle."  This is going to really help
>me with Clay Thompson's summer
>limerick contest over on the Arizona
>Republic.
>
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