# chopsticks *The Urth list — 2 messages, 2 voices, 14 May 2002* > Exported from an unofficial mirror of a public mailing list. Copyright > in each message remains with the person who wrote it. > Email addresses are obscured as `user at host`, the form the original > archive published. This file was rebuilt from parsed fields rather than > retained headers, so it is faithful in content but not byte-exact. --- ### maa32 *14 May 2002, 23:20* I'm not sure if anyone was confused by Apple Blossom's statement in "Underhill", but when she says "there is also my chop-my seal perhaps?" she is first talking about saving her chopsticks, then decides to make herself more important by talking about her seal and defers talk of saving the "the ivory sticks that feed [her]" for a sentence or two. The joke is that the magical box is a white box of chinese take out food, I guess - if there is a joke at all there. Alas, the mystification of Chinese food in the west seems a major theme of this story. Marc Aramini --- ### Russell Wodell *15 May 2002, 18:57 · follows maa32* Apple Blossom's statement is _not_ about chopsticks; her usage of "chop" is quite mundane, about a personal name stamp or "seal," viz this definition from the OED.: "In India, China. A seal or the impression of a seal; an official impress or stamp. 1614 MILWARD in Purchas Pilgr. I. 526 (Y.) The King [of Achen] sent us his Chop. 1678 Lett. from Dacca Fact. in India Office (Y.), Alledging that they came without ye Visiers Chaup to him. 1696 J. OVINGTON Voy. Suratt 251 (Y.) Upon their Chops as they call them in India, or Seals engraven, are only Characters, generally those of their Name. 1818 JAS. MILL Brit. India III. 340 Mr. Pigot is said to have seized his chop, or seal, and applied it to the paper. 1859 SIMMONDS Dict. Trade, Chhap, an official mark on weights and measures, to indicate their accuracy; an eastern Custom-house stamp or seal on goods that have been examined and have paid duty." >> Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 16:20:12 -0700 From: maa32 Subject: (urth) chopsticks I'm not sure if anyone was confused by Apple Blossom's statement in "Underhill", but when she says "there is also my chop-my seal perhaps?" she is first talking about saving her chopsticks, then decides to make herself more important by talking about her seal and defers talk of saving the "the ivory sticks that feed [her]" for a sentence or two. The joke is that the magical box is a white box of chinese take out food, I guess - if there is a joke at all there. Alas, the mystification of Chinese food in the west seems a major theme of this story. Marc Aramini --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. ---