jmh asked: "What do people from other counties mean when they say calico?"

As to cloth, my family thought it was cheap cotton with a colorful pattern, usually of flowers. This opinion was based on the "authority of Mom," who was a U.S. Georgia/Florida girl.

As to cats, it meant tri-colored; more specifically, black, orange, and white. Black, orange, and cream cats were "tortoise shells." - Male calico cats are rare; they usually have birth defects and don't survive kittenhood. I've heard rumors that male survivors are also sterile, but I don't know.

Tsyganka, with 3 cats, 2 dogs, and all the birds she can feed