chopsticks

Russell Wodell · 15 May 2002, 18:57 · from urth-v0205.mbox · original

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From: "Russell Wodell" <hse at telus.net>
Subject: (urth) re: chopsticks
Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 11:57:18 -0700
Message-ID: <urth-v0205-987 at digest.urth.net>
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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
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