

Ironically, this is (partially) why government social support services originally started in England. Back in the Victorian period, the rich realised it was cheaper to pay a bit more tax to keep the poor fed, than pay for security to stop them being robbed. It was also cheaper than locking them all up.
It was first found in monkeys, but actually originated in rodents. It should technically be rodentpox.
Also, racists and homophobes used it to create stigma against gay men. In was/is particularly prevalent in that group. There were rumours that you caught it from sex with monkeys.
Basically it was renamed to pull the teeth of a nasty and insulting use, and to break a misunderstanding on its source.