This isn't quite a question as much as an observation of behavior.
I have about 10 caged goblins. I have had at least twice that number of statements that '<Insert name here> Goblin <Insert profession here> has bestowed the name <XYZ> upon an Iron shield!'
I'd love to know if its the same Iron shield, and why its going to have a resume of names longer than my list of warcrimes (For every captured prisoner, I have killed at least 1 goblin, and left one in a room with six weapons traps each with 2 serrated iron discs. Not that it affected him much: He lost his toe and got a nasty scrape on his ear but after a while he just never got touched. Can anyone explain this, or has Toady created the perfect AI?).
I believe its because they've been in a cage so long that they have polished the shield up like a mirror and now use it for a conversation partner. It only started happening after my supply of coconuts dried up.
EDIT:
I tried a new trap today. It was a bridge that is meant to retract and drop goblins into a deep pit filled with spikes. It didn't. The goblin Hammerman went and took out several military dwarves, some armed with axes who, despite being competent or skilled, didn't leave a mark on him while he essentially liquified them, one bone at a time. Luckily, the goblin was stupid enough to step on a cage trap.
I think I see how he got past the trap (pressure plate with spaces on either side: a stupid mistake on my part) but why is it my dwarves were essentially molested by one goblin? And also seem to be now haunted by said goblin? I'm getting hundreds of announcements (after the goblin was captured) '<Insert name and profession> cancels rest: Interrupted by Goblin hammerman.'