Cluin -

There's a wee germ of truth to the tale that picking a skunk up by the tail prevents him from spraying; but the story is most frequently told to youngsters by the same ^%@#!$ ol' farts that tell them that the frozen pump handle tastes really sweet if you stick your tongue on it - frequently with similar effect on the dignity of the believer.

The problem with the skunk version is that the skunk is gonna be really mad when you drop it - and you generally can't run fast enough or throw one far enough.

John