tôm-tôm

See also: tom-tom

Macanese

Etymology

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

tôm-tôm

  1. a piece of candy, wrapped in paper
  2. dried animal excrement, especially from a dog or a cat
  3. (derogatory) a name for Macanese descendants living in Hong Kong

See also
  • Macau-Paio (“pejorative name given to Macanese living in Macau by the tom-toms”)

References
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