M&D p.71 (and 79)-- Ketjap

[Paul York]

Paul Murphy wrote:
> 
> ****Mason & Dixon spoiler****
> 
> Not much of a spoiler, but this is in response to the question of
> anachronism raised with respect to the discussion of *Ketjap* on p.71.
> According to the on-line OED, 'ketchup' entered the English language in
> 1711; Chinese *koechiap*, Malay *kechap*, Dutch *ketjap*.
> Since Mason and Dixon are conversing about the 'Malay' food they're eating
> while sojourning in Dutch-speaking South Africa, the term seems
> historically accurate -- I'm no historian of condiments, but I imagine the
> 18th century spice trade would allow for the appearance of Indonesian
> Ketjap (which one can still find in just about any present-day Dutch
> supermarket) in the place and time TRP is describing.
> Actually, the suspected anachronism that caught my attention re ketjap 
is on the last paragraph of page 79:  "Dixon meanwhile is struggling 
with the very Chinese Concoction, or rather *with its slender Bottle, 
out of whose long neck he finds he has trouble getting stuff the stuff 
to flow*" (italics mine).  He is then advised by Els to "Strike her [the 
bottle that is] on the bottom."  While I don't doubt that the ketjap is 
historically accurate, I do think that its behavior and packaging in 
this scene is much more in keeping with the condiment we are all so 
familiar with than it is with the Malay "kechap," which I believe has 
been described in several recent posts.
	Paul