Dear Faldage: the rappers and such scum who enjoy perverting things slyly, were probably responsible for inveigling unaware Americans into call themselves an obscenity. There are gutter musical groups and nightclubs so named. Back in Buzzard's Bay there was a nightclub called the Scatophagus Room. The Greek owner enjoyed calling his patrons in Greek what he would not dare call them in English. If you want to call yourself a merkin, go ahead. But I do not care to join you.