The Origin of "Aviator"

Quoted from a totally non-credible source:

"This explains it all. As aviators, we come from a long line of a secret
society, formed around one thousand years ago. We are warriors, and
here is the proof! Ground pounders can read it and weep!

A little known fact is the origin of the word, "Aviator." In the
immortal words of Johnny Carson: "I didn't know that

Phu Khen (pronounced Foo Ken) 1169-? is considered by some to be the
most under-recognized military officer in history. Many have never heard of
his contributions to modern military warfare. The mission of this secret
society is to bring honor to the name of Phu Khen.

A 'Khen' was a subordinate to a 'Khan' (pronounced 'konn') in the
military structure of the Mongol hordes. Khan is Turkish for leader.
Most know
of the great Genghis Khan, but little has been written of his chain of
command

Khen is also of Turkish origin. Although there is not a word in English
that adequately conveys the meaning. Roughly translated, it means, "One who
will do the impossible, while appearing unprepared and complaining
constantly.

Phu Khen was one of ten Khens that headed the divisions, or groups of
hordes, as they were known, of the Mongol Army serving under Genghis
Khan. His abilities came to light during the Mongols' raids on the
Turkistan
city of Bohicaroo. Bohicans were fierce warriors and the city was well
fortified. The entire city was protected by huge walls and the hordes
were at a
standoff with the Bohicans. Bohicaroo was well-stocked and it would be
difficult to wait them out. Genghis Khan assembled his Khens and ordered
each of them to develop a plan for penetrating the defenses of
Bohicaroo.

Operation Achieve Victory (AV) was born. All 10 divisions of Khens
submitted their plan. After reviewing AV plans 1 thru 7 and finding
them all
unworkable or ridiculous, Genghis Khan was understandably upset. It was
with
much perspiration that Phu Khen submitted his idea, which came to be
known as AV 8. Upon seeing AV 8, Genghis was convinced this was the perfect
plan and gave his immediate approval. The plan was beautifully simple. Phu
Khen would arm his hordes to the teeth, load them into catapults, and hurl
them over the wall. The losses were expected to be high, but hey,
hordes were
cheap! Those that survived the flight would engage the enemy in combat.
Those that did not? Well, surely their flailing bodies would cause some
damage.

The plan worked and the Bohicans were defeated. From that day on,
whenever the Mongol Army encountered an insurmountable enemy, Genghis
Khan would
give the order, "Send some of Phu Khen's AV 8-ers." This is believed,
though
not by anyone outside our secret society, to be the true origin of the word
Aviator (AV 8-er).

Phu Khen's AV 8-ers were understandably an unruly mob, not likely to be
socially acceptable. Many were heavy drinkers and insomniacs . But when
nothing else would do, you could always count on an AV 8-er. A Phu Khen
Aviator. Denied, perhaps rightfully so, his place in history, Phu Khen
has been, nonetheless, immortalized in prose.

As the great poet Norman Lear never once said:
"There once was a man named Phu Khen, Whose breakfast was whiskey and
gin. When e'er he'd fly, He'd give a mighty war cry: "Bend over, here it
comes again."

Consider it an honor to be a Phu Khen Aviator. Wear the mantle proudly,
but speak of it cautiously. It is not always popular to be one of us. You
hear mystical references, often hushed whispers, to 'those Phu Khen
Aviators.' Do not let these things bother you. As with any secret
society, we go
largely misunderstood, prohibited by our apathy from explaining ourselves.

You are expected to always live down to the reputation of the Phu Khen
Aviator...a reputation cultivated for centuries, undaunted by scorn or
ridicule, unhindered by progress. So drink up, be crude, sleep late,
urinate in public, and get the job done.

When others are offended, you can revel in the knowledge that YOU are a
PHU KHEN AVIATOR!"