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“Somewhere along the way “catholic” (adjective) became “Catholic” (and used as a proper noun.) ie. “Catholic Church”.”

Pretty much after the Great Schism. In the West (and here on FR)the term “Catholic” became identified solely with the Church of Rome. In the East we still call The Church (Orthodox or Oriental Orthodox) “Catholic”. And we call the Church of Rome, the Roman Catholic Church.

Truth be told, it is funny to see Roman Catholics say that +Ignatius of Antioch was speaking, apparently exclusively, of the operation headquartered today in Rome and saying he used a “capital C” (in Greek which has no “c”) when he wrote to the Smyrneans that the “catholic” church was where the bishop is.

Of course you are right. However, I don't believe it is "funny" as in Ha Ha funny, but is an example of extreme arrogance or extreme ignorance (take your pick).

"...I don't believe it is "funny" as in Ha Ha funny, but is an example of extreme arrogance or extreme ignorance (take your pick)."

I do get a chuckle out of it. I don't think it's arrogance, at least not now. It may be a bit presumptuous, however. Ignorance? Probably, but understandable. I'll bet that 99 out of 100 Westerners, if they have ever even heard of +Ignatius of Antioch, have no idea what his letters looked like written in Greek...without the letter "c", so not "extreme" ignorance. What isn't so funny, I suppose, is when Latins who really do know better nevertheless try to mislead the heterodox.