It seems the word "dope" was Anglicised in the 19th century, from the Dutch word "doop" which means "gravy"!!!!! I suppose the red/brown dope the aircraft factories used, looks a bit similar??? I know that if you breathe the fumes to much you'll end up one! . And it'll do your liver in!

Cheers       Neville

 BUT they did change their formula some time back and if the label is orange and black as opposed to the old red and white label, beware!!!  They went to some type of acryillic dope that is not even compatible with their older dopes.  

You can thank the EPA. The constant chemical/ solvent changes at my work (Airline) are hard to keep up with.
I'm getting ready to dope a wing using new Midwest Aerogloss. Hope it will do the whole wing. Hard to find anymore at the LHS's, you have to trip over a few ARF's to find the dusty jars.

This is why I prefer to buy dope by the gallon from an aircraft supply company like Aircraft Spruce or Spencer's Aircraft. I get a gallon of non-taunting Randolph's or Certified clear and two gallons of thinner and I'm certain it's all compatible.