the origin of charlie fox?

[hyperion]

just wondering if any could help settle an argument for me on where the name charlie came from for foxes?
im sure its from charles fox the mp but im not sure
cheers
peter

 

[Nickijem]

According to my OH it comes from the Vietnam war - the Viet Cong were referred to as Victor Charlie (pnonetic alphabet) and they lived in underground burrows and tunnels - like foxes.

 

[hyperion]

darn! just been through that on t.h.l but were sure its older than that and comes from the 18th century hunting and/or political field!
cheers for the reply though!

 

[hyperion]

it is from the politician Charles James Fox 1749 - 1806

but the question is why did the term come to be used??