Because they look like the shoes?
Enjoy your visit.
I found this, http://www.foodreference.com/html/fhushpuppies.htm
Do you think it's right? Tell us when you get back what the real scoop is.

edit: Don't humans crave the taste of sugar, salt and fat as a survival mechanism, (a very redundant one for some well fed sectors of the population)?

edit #2: and this lead from our esteemed Dr. Bill: http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-hus1.htm

edit #3:'sorry about the 1st link. The 2nd says the same and more anyhow.