by Gilmore » Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:39 am
The word "amok" has Indo-Malay origins, like many other commonly used terms here- phsar, kompong (kampong) and kangkong (water spinach)-reflecting the strong historical influence of Malay traders.
According to leading linguist David Crystal, it made its way into common English usage, where it means totally out of control, during the US colonial era in the Philippines, together with boondocks (mountains) and yo-yo, which was originally a weapon used in Mindanao.
I have always assumed its use to describe the dish is a reference to the unusually high blend of herbs and spices used in its preparation; a mixture that probably contravenes conventional Khmer flavour combination etiquette, which is generally quite simple.
I don't know enough about Malay cooking to suggest that the dish had its origins there, but I agree with other posters that it seems atypical compared with conventional Khmer cuisine.
The word "amok" has Indo-Malay origins, like many other commonly used terms here- phsar, kompong (kampong) and kangkong (water spinach)-reflecting the strong historical influence of Malay traders.
According to leading linguist David Crystal, it made its way into common English usage, where it means totally out of control, during the US colonial era in the Philippines, together with boondocks (mountains) and yo-yo, which was originally a weapon used in Mindanao.
I have always assumed its use to describe the dish is a reference to the unusually high blend of herbs and spices used in its preparation; a mixture that probably contravenes conventional Khmer flavour combination etiquette, which is generally quite simple.
I don't know enough about Malay cooking to suggest that the dish had its origins there, but I agree with other posters that it seems atypical compared with conventional Khmer cuisine.