Re: OT: Dim sim (was Re: OT: Junk)

On Sat, 13 Sep 2003, Tim May wrote:

> Tristan McLeay wrote at 2003-09-13 05:32:47 (-0400)
>  > On Sat, 13 Sep 2003, Joe wrote:
>  >
>  > > Or, for that matter, a dimsim.
>  >
>  > I wouldn't have a clue how to describe them. The Macquarie Dictionary
>  > defines them as
>  >         dim sim
>  >             /dIm sIm/ n, a dish of Chinese origin, made of seasoned meat
>  >         wrapped in thin dough and steamed or fried. [? Cantonese tim-sam
>  >         snack]
>  > I couldn't find any defn at either m-w.com or dictionary.com, so either
>  > Americans don't have them (hard to believe) or call them something else.
>
> I believe they call them dim sum - I've never had either, so I'm not
> entirely certain that the terms are synonymous, but my dictionary
> lists dim sim as a variant of dim sum.  Certainly the derivation seems
> to be the same.
m-w.com defines dim sums as:
        traditional Chinese food consisting of a variety of items (as
        steamed or fried dumplings, pieces of cooked chicken, and rice
        balls) served in small portions. Etymology: Chinese (Guangdong)
        _di'msAm_, from _di'm_ dot, speck + _sAm_ heart.
The steamed or fried dumplings could be what I know of as dim sims, but
the rest is certainly not. And the etymology is quite different.

--
Tristan                  <kesuari@...>

Yesterday I was a dog. Today I'm a dog. Tomorrow I'll probably still
be a dog. Sigh! There's so little hope for advancement.
                -- Snoopy

Reply