Pumpernickel means "devil's fart", a definition accepted by the publisher Random House, and by some English language dictionaries, including the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. The American Heritage Dictionary adds "so named from being hard to digest". A variant of this explanation is also given by the German etymological dictionary "Kluge" that says the word is older than its usage for the particular type of bread, and may have been used as a mocking name for a person of unrefined manners ("farting Nick") first. The change of meaning may have been caused by its use as a mocking expression for the (in the eyes
The Scarlet Pumpernickel Daffy fails to perform a stunt, he mutters, "That's funny - that never happens to Errol Flynn," and his costumed appearance is more like Zorro, with cape, mask and sword, none of which the Pimpernel used. The "Nobleman disguise," is, however, more in line with wealthy English fop Sir Percy Blakeney, the Scarlet Pimpernel's alter ego. Michael Barrier's commentary on the DVD pointed out that Errol Flynn had nothing to do with "The Scarlet Pimpernel"; rather, the star was actually Leslie Howard. But, since Flynn was better-known, his name was referenced in the gags. "The Scarlet Pumpernickel" is available, uncensored,