Sounds more funny then anything. It is a play on words eg 'the tharts' or 'fisics guys.'

Interestingly enough, they actually had this nickname prior to the exposure of the tanking of the 1919 World Series. Owner Charles Comisky was so cheap he started charging the players for laundering their uniforms with the result that they refused to have them washed. The rebellion quickly led to a grubby look which opposing fans tagged with this sobriquet. Ironically, it was Comisky's penurious behavious which was a significant factor in the player deciding to fix the series. The nickname is appropriate in more ways than one.

Damn fine name for this squad.