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

[Paul Murphy]

Paul York writes:

>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

I think you're right -- a case of TRP twisting history for a good ribald
joke (as this scene develops).

Cheers,
Paul