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Som tam

2 stages from Thai to English.

Today it means a spicy, tangy Thai salad made from pounded shredded green papaya

Where does the word "som tam" come from? It comes from Thai s̄̂mtảa, adopted directly into English (late 1900s-2000s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
s̄̂mtảa
Thai · 20th century
"pounded sour salad"
combining 'som' (sour) and 'tam' (pounded), naming a spicy salad made by pounding shredded green papaya
2
Stage 2 of 2
som tam
English · late 1900s-2000s
"a spicy Thai green papaya salad"
borrowed by food writers and menus as Thai cuisine spread internationally
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