Is Poolish really Polish?

Jim C. (from the post below) had a special request when he emailed me over the weekend. He asked if I’d put a question out to the joepastry.com readership at large about poolish starters. That question is: is the “poolish” starter really a Polish invention? It’s thought to be, given how similar the words are, but there’s scant proof of the claim. Truth be told, I’m inclined to believe it, give how influential the Poles have historically been in European baking. But who really knows? If you do, please send me an email.