Re: What's the etymology of ketchup/catsup?
| From: | Thomas R. Wier <artabanos@...> |
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| Date: | Wednesday, July 12, 2000, 19:32 |
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John Cowan wrote:
> Danny Wier wrote:
>
> > My question is natlang-related: what is the etymology
> > of "ketchup" or "catsup" (Hindi, right?), and why the two different spellings?
>
> It's from Minnan Chinese ke tsiap 'fish sauce', and was originally highly similar
> to that Greek fermented fish sauce, the name of which I forget.
I don't know what the Greek name was, but the Roman version was
called 'garum'.
> "Catsup" probably represents an approximation of the older pronunciation,
> but AFAIK "ketchup" is now the universal pronunciation even though the older
> spelling is retained by some.
I've always pronounced it /'k&tS@p/, never with an /E/.
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Tom Wier <artabanos@...>
ICQ#: 4315704 AIM: trwier
"Cogito ergo sum, sed credo ergo ero."
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