What is a 'mule outsmarter' and why the name?

I struggle with the strength of feeling on this one.

Logic leads me to believe that the term probably arrives from an trade combining both mules and skinning. Given the times and revenues then gathered from animal hides, surely it is far more likely that the term comes from the literal meaning of the word skinner?

About as repectable as the term singer/songwriter. Or is songwriter a term for outsmarting also?

I have no doubt that the term came to refer to a mule teamster, I just question the origin of the term.....