Spaw,

You are a funny, funny man, with an amazing memory. You appear to recall that my first encounter with "Mudcat moderation" was when a certain mudelf, who has since mellowed quite a bit, called me a few others "a horse's patoot". It was on that day that I learned the real "rules of engagement" here, I seldom go as far as that moderator did, but when I do, I find comfort in the fact that name calling, when needed, is allowed.

Getting back to this example.... at the risk of offending John Hardly, I need some clarity here.

Main Entry: buf·foon
Pronunciation: (")b&-'fün
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French bouffon, from Old Italian buffone
1 : a ludicrous figure : CLOWN
2 : a gross and usually ill-educated or stupid person
- buf·foon·ish /-'fü-nish/ adjective

So Shambles is literally a clown? I'm sorry that must be my mistake, but I can't see his make up.

He's certainly isn't gross, ill-educated or stupid.