tôm-tôm
See also: tom-tom
Macanese
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Sense 1 (and possibly 2) derive from reduplication of Cantonese 糖 (“sugar; candy”), with the reduplication either taking place internally in Macanese or within Cantonese, as part of baby-speak. Influence from French bonbon also possible, but less likely.
Noun
[edit]tôm-tôm
- a piece of candy, wrapped in paper
- dried animal excrement, especially from a dog or a cat
- (derogatory) a name for Macanese descendants living in Hong Kong
See also
[edit]- Macau-Paio (“pejorative name given to Macanese living in Macau by the tom-toms”)